ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

The Value of Forgotten Geniuses in Art Sales

opinion-review · 2026-04-23

The article argues that forgotten geniuses in art offer dual advantages in a period of intense consumption: they are both new (their work hasn't been seen for a while) and old (their complete oeuvre is known, allowing for distanced evaluation). Gallerists and museum curators play a key role in rediscovering these artists. The piece reflects on the dynamics of art sales and the cyclical nature of art market attention.

Key facts

  • Every country has its forgotten geniuses.
  • Gallerists and museum curators help revive forgotten artists.
  • Forgotten geniuses are new because their work hasn't been seen recently.
  • Forgotten geniuses are old because their complete oeuvre is known.
  • Their known oeuvre includes good and bad periods.
  • Their importance can be measured with a distanced perspective.
  • The article was published in artpress in March 2007.
  • The article is titled 'les ventes : la première fois, on ne sait rien'.

Entities

Institutions

  • artpress

Sources