Extreme Underpricing of Original Artwork Undermining Artist Livelihoods

Summary

A severe and unsolved problem in the art market is the widespread underpricing of original artwork, with artists selling complex oil paintings for as little as $30, far below the cost of materials and labor. This devalues all artists' work and makes it impossible to sustain a professional art business. Artists feel pressured to accept low offers due to financial need or fear of losing sales, leading to exploitation and financial instability. Existing pricing tools and guidelines are insufficient to combat this systemic devaluation.