What constitutes a great painting?

Question

I am seriously considering opening an art gallery to promote and sell paintings. I need to know what people are looking for in a painting these days. I

Answer 1

Make it individual and sell the stuff that you like.

Answer 2

I'm sorry, but there is no definition of 'greatness' when it comes to art. It is ENTIRELY subjective. You seem to imagine that there is a kind of art that 'people are looking for these days'. There are thousands of kinds of art that people are looking for these days.

Not knowing anything about art, why in the world would you consider opening yet another art gallery? Surely there is an area of expertise in which you are more informed that would be a more practical field of endeavor for you, no? The arts are not a profession you enter because you think it would be fun or interesting or profitable. It's a profession you enter because it is your passion and because you are deeply informed. If not, it's a massive waste of your time and everyone elses.

Answer 3

Any great work of art would be 'a thing of beauty and a joy forever' - which impresses the viewers' minds, and simultaneously touches their hearts as well !
...But I fear that those artists who can 'buy' the most glamourous reviews, plus 'exhibit' in the costliest of galleries, are the ones whose art sells - because, to today's newly rich generation, 'art' is just another 'investment', initially to show-off that they have 'arrived', and later to sell at a much higher price !
As a result, I have often found that truly great works of art get ignored, while sheer nonsense promoted by professional advertisers, get the maximum mileage !
So, since you intend to make Art your business, forget about true 'greatness', and go for the most hyped ones.
Best of Luck.

Answer 4

Good question but very tough to answer! A great painting will demonstrate that the artist knows all the 'rules' but also how to break them. It will be simple yet complex enough that one never tires of looking at it and continues to see new things in it every day. It will evoke feelings yet be compfortable to live with. Is all this helpful? What the dealer must do to be successful is promote new artists in your own area and thereby contribute to the artistic development of your community (artistic as well as non-artistic).

Answer 5

The painting most tell me something and catch my attention from the first view.

Consider market tendencies as well new known painters their work is a good investment and a good way to save money as an investor.

Good look

Answer 6

Your methodology is flawed.

Taste is entirely subjective; you have to sell what you believe is good, or you will be an unconvincing salesman.

But generally, I'd say:

bright and colourful over dank and grey
figuaritive over abstract
local recognisable motifs over foreign ones
cheerful over sad
famous over obscure

Answer 7

That one can see great Meaning in it and it makes you question your beliefs and try to answer those questions, it changes your life and inspires you, it's something you'll never forget, you can sense a magic in the moment that inner belief inside you generates and radiates and you know that this has brought a special change in you

Answer 8

Different Strokes for Different Folks

Answer 9

Something you don't understand -- and looks like someone has spilt paint rather -- having actually painted it --using bright colours very often helps

Cheers

Answer 10

as an amateur, is better a straight spectator conection that a complicated so recharged and artificial paint