For the thirteenth episode of "Reading the Art World," host Megan Fox Kelly speaks with Michael Findlay, author of “The Value of Art: Money, Power, Beauty,” published by Prestel. This 2022 book is a new and expanded edition of Michael’s original book, published in 2012, which has been translated into German, Spanish, Japanese and Korean, and which ARTNews hailed as “one of the best books ever published on the art world.”

A director of Acquavella Galleries in New York, Michael has been a private art dealer for over four decades. He was also International Director of Fine Arts at Christie’s auction house. The book draws on Michael’s life experiences as an art lover, collector, auction house specialist and art dealer. He has experienced extraordinary growth in the market over the last several decades and his insights on art and his work with artists and collectors inform this book. In addition to “The Value of Art,” Michael wrote “Seeing Slowly: Looking at Modern Art,” a book I recommend to so many of my collectors.

Today, so much of the conversation around art and collecting and the art market is about value — value in terms of price and investment return. But Michael talks about value in terms of the inherent value of the art itself, and he gives us thoughtful perspective on not merely the financial but the emotional. The book abounds with anecdotes of collectors and artists from the 19th century through today and what those stories tell us about investing, collecting, amassing and loving art — with updated sections on NFTs and digital art. If someone thinks this is just an investment guide, they’ll be pleasantly surprised that it is not.

"Reading the Art World" is a live interview and podcast series with leading art world authors hosted by art advisor Megan Fox Kelly. The conversations explore timely subjects in the world of art, design, architecture, artists and the art market, and are an opportunity to engage further with the minds behind these insightful new publications.

Megan Fox Kelly is an art advisor and President of the Association of Professional Art Advisors who works with collectors, estates and foundations.

For more information, visit: meganfoxkelly.com.

Follow us on Instagram: @meganfoxkelly, and Twitter: @mfkartadvisory.

Purchase “The Value of Art: Money, Power, Beauty ,” by Michael Findlay at Prestel. 

Music composed by Bob Golden.