How to Verify an Artist Before You Buy
Buying art directly from an artist – rather than through an established gallery with decades of reputation behind it – can feel like a leap of faith. How do you know the artist is who they say they are? How do you know the work will actually arrive, or that it matches what you saw in the photos?
Knowing how to verify an artist before you buy doesn’t require special expertise – just a short, practical checklist. Here is what to look for before you commit to a purchase.
Look for a consistent body of work, not just one piece
An established practice usually leaves a visible trail – a body of work that has developed over time, with a recognisable style, recurring themes, and visible technical growth. If an artist’s only visible work is the single piece you are considering, that’s not necessarily a red flag, but it’s worth looking a little further before committing to a significant purchase.
Check their website, their Instagram, and any exhibition history you can find. A consistent, developing practice is one of the clearest signs that you are dealing with a genuine, working artist.
Check for curated exhibition credits
If an artist’s work has been selected for a curated exhibition – a themed open call, a gallery show, a juried selection – that is a meaningful signal. It means someone other than the artist has evaluated the work and chosen to include it. This kind of third-party validation is one of the most reliable signs of legitimacy.
If someone other than the artist has evaluated the work and chosen to include it, that third-party validation is one of the most reliable signs of legitimacy.
Ask for additional images and details
A legitimate artist will almost always be happy to send you additional photos – close-ups of texture, images in different lighting, a shot of the piece next to a ruler for scale. Hesitation or vague answers to simple, reasonable questions about the physical work are worth noticing.
It is entirely reasonable to ask for a quick video call or video message showing the actual piece, especially for a higher-value purchase. Most independent artists understand this request and will accommodate it without issue.
Understand the payment and shipping process
Before paying, make sure you understand exactly how the transaction will work – who covers shipping, whether the piece is insured in transit, what happens if it arrives damaged, and what the return policy is, if any. A professional artist will have clear answers to these questions, even if they are not formally written out.
Be cautious of requests for unusual payment methods – wire transfers to personal accounts with no other verification, or payment apps that offer no buyer protection. Standard, traceable payment methods protect both you and the artist.
A quick checklist
- Does the artist have a consistent, visible body of work over time?
- Has their work been selected for any curated exhibitions or open calls?
- Are they responsive and willing to provide additional images or details?
- Is the payment and shipping process clear and traceable?
- Do they have a website, social media, or other artists who can vouch for them?
Buy with confidence through curated exhibitions
One of the most straightforward ways to buy with confidence is through a curated online gallery, where every artist has already gone through a selection process. At Marea Gallery, every artist featured in an exhibition has been personally reviewed and selected by our curator. Explore the current exhibition at mareagallery.com/exhibitions.
New to collecting? Start with our guide on how to start collecting emerging art, or learn how curators choose art for an exhibition.