The Educational Value of Art: Key Insights for Today’s Art Collectors

Art collecting, much like art education, is a delicate balance between understanding the intrinsic and instrumental value of a piece. In his essay "Art's Educational Value," Stuart Richmond explores how art, by virtue of its form, expression, and aesthetics, not only enriches the individual but also shapes a deeper appreciation of the world. For the contemporary art collector, the insights offered by Richmond are pivotal, especially in understanding the factors that render a work valuable beyond its market price. This article will highlight the key takeaways, strategies, and tactics from Richmond's essay, explaining how they can apply to art collectors today.

Understanding Intrinsic and Instrumental Value in Art

Richmond emphasizes the idea of intrinsic versus instrumental value, drawing distinctions between appreciating art for its own sake and its practical applications (Richmond, 2009). For art collectors, recognizing intrinsic value involves seeing a piece not solely for its investment potential but for the artistic qualities it holds—elements like form, expressiveness, and the emotions it conveys. Art that has intrinsic value is timeless, as it speaks to the human condition, independent of the fluctuating market.

Strategy for Collectors: To successfully collect art that carries intrinsic value, look for pieces that move you on a personal level. An artwork with the ability to evoke emotions or provoke thought will likely have longevity, both aesthetically and financially. It’s also important to understand the context and history behind an artwork—pieces such as Caravaggio’s carefully composed works or Fred Herzog’s photographs depicting city life in the 1950s and 1960s, which convey narratives of time, place, and human experience.

Example: Collectors may consider acquiring works from contemporary artists whose art reflects personal or social narratives. Gathie Falk's "Night Sky #3" is an example of work that combines dense imagery and personal experience, showcasing intrinsic artistic engagement.

Art as a Form of Visual Language

Richmond delves into the notion of art as a visual language. He suggests that while there may not be a perfect correspondence between verbal and visual languages, art has the ability to convey complex ideas, emotions, and perspectives that go beyond mere words (Richmond, 2009). For collectors, understanding this visual language—styles, forms, techniques, and motifs—is crucial in evaluating a piece's importance and meaning.

Strategy for Collectors: Develop visual literacy by studying various art movements, genres, and the artists within them. Understanding an artist’s visual language will help collectors discern their unique voice or style and assess the quality and significance of their work. Familiarity with movements such as abstraction, realism, and the avant-garde will provide deeper insight into how artists communicate visually.

Example: Howard Hodgkin's works, with their intense use of color and abstracted yet narrative approach, have their own distinct language. When collecting Hodgkin or similar artists, understanding their visual vocabulary provides context that can enrich one’s appreciation of the work.

The Role of Form and Structure in Art

Richmond discusses the significance of form in art—the careful shaping of materials and ideas into a coherent structure that conveys meaning (Richmond, 2009). For collectors, understanding how an artist works with form can reveal much about the quality and effort put into a piece. Form includes composition, texture, use of space, and how these elements interact to create a cohesive whole.

Strategy for Collectors: When examining a work of art, pay attention to how form is used to bring unity and meaning. Look for elements like line, texture, and composition, and understand how these work together. Form can vary widely—whether tightly controlled like Caravaggio or more spontaneous like Jackson Pollock—but a successful work of art will demonstrate mastery in its use.

Example: Phyllida Barlow's sculptural installations are known for their imposing yet loose form. Understanding her choice of materials and the intentional way she creates a sense of weight, balance, and space is crucial to appreciating her work’s full value.

Aesthetic Experience and Its Importance

Richmond argues that art education’s value lies in its ability to cultivate aesthetic experience—an appreciation of form, beauty, and expressive qualities (Richmond, 2009). For collectors, understanding the aesthetic impact of a piece goes beyond simply determining whether it is visually pleasing. It’s about recognizing an artwork’s ability to provoke emotion, its underlying intent, and its craftsmanship.

Strategy for Collectors: Invest time in understanding your own aesthetic preferences and how they align with certain artists or styles. Attend gallery shows, exhibitions, and museums to develop a broader understanding of aesthetics across cultures and time periods.

Example: The works of artists like Bill Brandt, whose photographs evoke a sense of mystery through the use of shadow and composition, demonstrate how aesthetics create atmosphere and meaning. For a collector, acquiring works that provoke a visceral reaction can signify an aesthetic quality that resonates deeply.

The Artist's Touch and Expression

Richmond also emphasizes the importance of artistic expression—the unique subjectivity an artist brings to their work. This "artist's touch" gives a piece individuality, marking it as the product of a particular creative mind (Richmond, 2009). The expression within a work of art is what often sets it apart, offering a perspective that is distinctly personal yet universally relatable.

Strategy for Collectors: Seek out artists who have a clear, individual voice. This can be found in their stylistic choices, recurring themes, or even in their technique. An artist’s distinctive approach often determines a work's authenticity and desirability.

Example: Lucian Freud’s portraits are notable for their stark realism and psychological depth. Freud’s unique handling of paint and the often-exaggerated forms of his subjects make his work unmistakable, adding value through its expressive individuality.

The Relationship Between Art and Historical Context

Richmond points out that art cannot be detached from its historical and cultural context—understanding the time and circumstances in which a piece was created enriches its value (Richmond, 2009). Art is often a reflection of the era in which it was produced, offering commentary on social, cultural, or political issues.

Strategy for Collectors: Collect with an awareness of an artwork's cultural and historical significance. Consider how the time and place of its creation impact its themes, materials, and reception. Works that engage with their historical context often retain or increase their relevance over time.

Example: Artemisia Gentileschi’s "Susanna and the Elders" provides a feminist perspective on a biblical story, informed by her experiences as a female artist in the 17th century. Understanding the historical context of Gentileschi’s work not only adds to its narrative depth but also enhances its value as a meaningful historical document.

Educational Value and Art as an Investment in Human Experience

One of Richmond's main arguments is that the value of art lies in its ability to develop understanding, perception, and creativity—it serves as an educational tool that enhances the human experience (Richmond, 2009). For collectors, this perspective is vital in understanding the long-term value of art, not merely as a financial asset but as an investment in culture and human connection.

Strategy for Collectors: Consider collecting pieces that contribute to broader conversations—whether political, cultural, or environmental. Art with a message or a role in shaping discourse can increase in importance over time, not just for its aesthetic or financial worth but for its role in shaping collective understanding.

Example: Works by artists like Ai Weiwei, who use their art as a form of social critique, provide both an aesthetic experience and an intellectual engagement with the pressing issues of our time. Collecting such works becomes an investment not only in the art itself but also in the ideas it represents.

Conclusion

In summary, Stuart Richmond's discussion of art's educational value provides several important takeaways for today's art collectors. Collecting art is about more than simply purchasing aesthetically pleasing pieces or making wise investments; it's about recognizing the intrinsic and instrumental values, understanding visual language, appreciating form and expression, and placing works within their cultural and historical contexts.

To be an art collector today means to be an advocate for culture and human experience. It means recognizing that the value of art goes beyond its market price and involves an ongoing engagement with the world—an engagement that shapes personal identity, challenges perceptions, and fosters a connection to history and humanity.

By following these strategies and learning from Richmond's insights, art collectors can develop a collection that is not only valuable in financial terms but also culturally rich and deeply meaningful.

References

Richmond, Stuart. "Art's Educational Value." Journal of Aesthetic Education 43, no. 1 (Spring 2009): 93-104. University of Illinois Press.