Practicum

Business as Usual: Is today’s art market an unprecedented anomaly or historical pattern?

Abstract

Are the dynamics of today’s art market an unprecedented anomaly or historical pattern? To answer this question, my practicum reviewed the current state of the art market to develop a set of defining characteristics that are applied to the major art movements of the last five hundred years. Using actual price data and records of the era, I showed how many of the structural roots of today’s market first emerged during the Renaissance. Important developments occurred over time, especially with the advent of the auction market in 18th-century London and the rise of art as a speculative commodity in the late 1800s.

Committee

• Stuart Lingo, Chair (Art History)
• Marek Wieczorek (Art History)

Bio

While I work full-time in finance, my passion for art history led me back to the UW, first as an undergraduate then as a graduate student. I finished the MA Practicum during winter quarter after five fantastic years. While my studies were limited to classes that fit my odd schedule, I explored a variety of genres with a range of professors. My practicum focused on the intersection of art and business, where I attempted to answer the question “Is today’s art market an unprecedented anomaly or historical pattern?”

Many thanks to everyone who was kind enough to guide me along this journey as I discovered what it took to re-enter academia after a 21-year hiatus. Special gratitude goes to Stuart Lingo for his friendship, insights, and support (especially those over our shared negronis) as well as serving as my committee chair. Marek Wieczorek, Estelle Lingo, Lane Eagles, and the whole library crew were wonderful supporters along this journey. This would not have been possible without Judi Clark’s deft navigation of the UW bureaucracy at all stages and Ann Langord-Fuchs’ specialty at the graduate level.

Education

• Master of Arts, University of Washington, 2020
• Master of Arts, University of London, 1993
• Bachelor of Arts, University of Washington, 1992