Buying art as an investment from overseas (UK buyers guide)

Are you looking to diversify your portfolio? Or thinking about making an investment in something you can get passionate about? The exciting world of art may present a perfect opportunity for you to place your money into a tangible asset that you can enjoy owning.

Make the most of your investment and use a Wise account when buying art internationally to convert GBP at a low, transparent fee* and send money to 140+ countries and in 40+ currencies at a mid-market exchange rate.

Wise could also save you money, as traditional banks often use markups. A £500,000 portrait could be given a 5% markup, for example, resulting in an additional £15,000.

Before you think about sending large amounts to overseas sellers or vendors, consider using Wise, you can even speak with a team of experts ready to help you with your large transfers.

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Is buying art as an investment a good strategy?

Buying art offers a vastly different style of investment compared to more traditional opportunities such as stocks or property. It may seem to be an unexpected course of action as it doesn’t offer immediate, short-term growth.

However, investing in this space could prove to be the perfect strategy for you.

Why art is a passion investment

You might fall in love with a property but you know that real estate investment is a business choice. Down the line, that property will likely be sold.

You might come to appreciate an entrepreneur's flourishing business, of which you are a key partner. Unfortunately, the stresses of the industry can come to negatively affect your enjoyment of that collaboration.

However, art provides a unique sense of reward. You’ll be investing in a tangible object which you may connect with on a personal level.

Art is an emotional purchase, one that could rise in value in the long-term, yet provides plenty of delight in the immediate. It is an investment to be cherished. Not another digital number on a spreadsheet.

Financial rewards and emotional fulfillment of investing in art

There is a balance in the art of art investment, between looking for emotional fulfillment and financial reward. Finding a piece you personally feel a link with is so critical in this process. Because, that piece of art isn’t just a financial token. It represents an opportunity for you to invest in something that matters.

Financially, art can pay-off long-term. Art investments can provide long-term growth, if the value of a piece increases. While the market itself does fluctuate,¹ there are always new investment opportunities that provide promise for the future.

How does art compare to traditional investments like real estate?

Traditional investments are prone to unpredictability. The stock markets could crash. An asset could be lost. Businesses may crumble and property prices can take a nosedive.

Investment has always been about the risk versus the reward. With art, you are gaining a physical commodity. One that is more than likely to increase in value.

In fact, over a 10-year period, art has seen its value increase by 54%.² This investment is, therefore, one that could provide further security for your portfolio.

3 key benefits of buying art as an investment

You may already be convinced that buying art as an investment is the right move for you.

However, it is still critical to look at those key benefits which you’ll enjoy once you make that purchase.

1. Long-term value appreciation and stability

Stability is a major factor when making an investment. You want to know that your money is safe. Luckily, the art scene has proven resilient over the years.

Surviving Covid and crashes, while major economic moments take place, areas of the art world continue to find a way to thrive.

For instance, even during the global pandemic, the contemporary print market grew by 64%.³ Investing in low-value items provides room for growth, while smart choices can be rewarded with long-term appreciation.

2. Portfolio diversification

A well-placed art investment also allows you to diversify your portfolio, giving you an extra layer of security. Spreading your assets across multiple opportunities is key to sustained growth.

Art is a reliable addition that provides a very different type of investment. It is also one that works best across a longer timeline, complimenting your short-term growth strategies.

3. Cultural and intellectual value

Unlike many of your other investments, art is also something you may enjoy on an intercultural level. It can be analysed and discussed with guests, culturally enriching your life and even your home.

Joining the art community can open your doors to a vibrant space, one that is as concerned with a valuation as it is with what an artist is saying with their work.

Factors affecting the value of your art investment

While there is stability to be found by adding art investments to your portfolio, there are still risks.

It’s important you consider the factors that may impact the value of your art before you make a purchase.

The artist's reputation

An artist’s reputation in the industry may be brought into dispute. When investing in art, you are partially investing in a person. Fraudulent work, personal controversy and a shift in their individual valuation may all have an impact on your investment.

Likewise, moments of sudden fame or the publication of a powerful piece can positively affect the valuation of the artist’s other works.

Artistic capital stock

Artistic capital stock can see your investment rise and fall in its valuation. It can shape the market and impact an artist’s path. Those pieces connected to artists with high artistic capital stock will be far more durable.

Unknown artists are higher risk, but could provide a bigger reward. If someone’s work is well-known and well-loved then there is less uncertainty.

Importance of provenance and ownership history

Identifying the origin of a work and its history of ownership is part of the process of ensuring an artwork’s authenticity. This knowledge provides certainty and certainty provides security.

Proper documentation and understanding of an artwork’s rich history will reduce risk and bring further value culturally and economically. This clarity also ensures the selling process is a clean one, legally straight-forward and worthwhile for investors.

Rarity, condition and historical significance

As can be expected, the rarity of an item will bring it further value. It is likely that if you invest in an item that is already considered a rare find, that you will be looking at higher ticket items.

However, rarity can grow in the market, adding to your art’s worth. The condition of a piece is also vital. Art can deteriorate and drop in value. Maintain your investment’s condition to ensure a safe sale.

In some cases, art will also hold significant historical value, based on when and where it was produced and who produced it. Additional historical discoveries may impact the item you own. Understanding an artwork’s origin is a big part of protecting its value.

How to invest in art as a beginner

If you’re enthusiastic about this process, you’ll likely want to start right away. These tips will point you in the right direction and provide you with the tools needed to grow as an art investor, at the beginning of your journey.

Research art movements, mediums and price categories

Understanding the space you’re entering is the first part of the challenge. Getting a sense of the art movements that you are enthusiastic about and the mediums you want to engage with is key to finding an investment that plays to your passions.

Exploring the price categories available to you will also be important. Whether you want to invest in an up-and-coming art deco sculptor, or an established watercolour painter, different mediums, styles and reputations in the industry will result in different price tags.

Set a budget and long-term goals

What do you want to achieve when choosing your investment? Perhaps you are simply looking for something that moves you. Maybe you’re looking for a long-term, high-increase in valuation. Or perhaps you want to support a struggling artist on the rise.

Identifying why you want to invest in a piece of art is the first step to getting a sense of your goals. Make sure to set a budget that aligns with those plans. That could vary from £20,000 to millions.

The role of Art Advisors, galleries, and experts

You’re not alone in this process. There’s a whole community out there ready to support you. Experts will help you understand the changes in the art industry and the voices to keep an eye on.

Art Advisors will be able to shape your understanding of valuation and the importance of a piece. Galleries will act as host, presenting you with a vast array of possibilities.

Connect yourself with knowledgeable and passionate people who can assist in your decision-making.

Different ways to invest in art

Investing in art isn’t always about making a straight purchase. It’s not all about buying fine art as an investment. There are alternative ways to put your money into the industry.

Investing in an artist and their future work is one example. Buying shares in a high-value piece is another. Online platforms can make the process simple, while auctions and gallery viewings provide more traditional paths into the market. Check out auction houses like Sotheby’s and Christie’s to explore available pieces.

Outright purchase vs. Fractional ownership or art funds

There are two alternative types of purchase. The first way to buy art as an investment is via an outright purchase. You may buy the piece in its entirety and have it shipped straight to you or have it held in a location of choice.

The second is fractional ownership. You may share your investment with others, owning part of the final piece. This eliminates issues relating to storage and can reduce risks. Art funds remove your personal choice altogether, allowing you to invest in a pooled fund where experts manage the artwork. This is a good approach for those less invested in the emotional benefits.

Tips for buying art as an investment

Buying fine art as an investment might serve to be an exciting and accessible way to change your portfolio but if you are going to make this move, you’ll need to make the right choices.

Luckily, these tips should serve you well as you become more comfortable in the art space.

Visiting galleries and fairs

You wouldn’t buy or invest in a property without visiting the location first. You wouldn’t invest in a business without understanding its potential. It stands to reason that you should never invest in art without seeing it first.

Visiting galleries and fairs can provide an up close and personal look at the art you could buy. You can hear from experts and perhaps even the artist themselves, forming a personal connection to the material while getting a better sense of its value.

Choosing a focus and tracking artist prices

The world of art is incredibly varied. It can seem almost overwhelming when first entering the scene.

Picking an area of focus will draw attention to the investment opportunities that interest you the most, while streamlining the process. This also allows you to keep a careful eye on artist prices and the valuations within that niche sector.

Experts are already predicting that the Middle-East could become an important market in the coming years, while AI may continue to be a disruptor.⁴ Choosing to focus on one of these industry areas, for example, may allow you to stay ahead of the curve.

The 70/30 rule in art

Understanding good art can make a real difference in where you invest when buying art as an investment opportunity. The 70/30 rule is a very good example of that.

In the art world, the 70/30 rule describes the proportional organisation of an artwork. It is essentially talking about finding balance in a piece. 70% of a painting, for instance, should be calm and perhaps even neutral. It should be dominant but not overpowering.

Meanwhile, the remaining 30% should stand out, providing additional layered details and focal points. One cannot focus on a piece of art that is entirely loud and busy, whereas one can focus on just 30% of a painting being that noisy.

Art as a long-term investment

Another thing to remember when arriving in this space is that art isn’t traditionally a short-term investment. This is an investment made for the long-term.

It is rare that there is a story of overnight success, where factors change enough that an artist, area of interest or a particular piece, suddenly triples in value.

Investing in art is about maintaining a voice in the industry over the coming years, keeping an eye on how things progress and deciding when the time is right to make that key sale. It is a passion project for many.

Buying and selling art overseas? Be Smart. Get Wise.

Buying art as an investment isn’t a decision that can be made lightly. It could change your portfolio, offering an alternative to traditional investment opportunities.

It could also become an area of love, as you connect with the art you invest with. While there are tips to take into account and factors that may impact your initial investments, beginning on this journey could be incredibly exciting.

Use a Wise account to make the process that much easier. Wise can hold 40+ currencies and offers an expert large transfer service for when you need additional support for those big transfers or important art investments.

Get expert support for your large transfers 📞

Sources used:

1. The Art Newspaper – information regarding art fluctuation
2. Amber Galleries - average art increase over a 10 year period
3. My Art Broker - resiliency of the art world
4. Artsy- middle east and AI in art in 2026

Sources last checked on date: 22 January 2026