Trading Beauty: Art Market Histories from the Altar to the Gallery

Trading Beauty: Art Market Histories from the Altar to the Gallery is an illustrated survey by Valentina Castellani that traces the evolution of the Western art market from the medieval era to the present day. In thirteen chapters, Castellani shows that art and commerce have been linked throughout history since the Middle Ages, analyzing how the social, cultural, religious, and economic circumstances of different periods have defined models of art production, validation, and valuation. Informed by her expertise as a veteran of Sotheby’s and Gagosian, the author also suggests that recent social and technological changes—alongside shifts in collector demographics—may herald a more decentralized, diverse, and democratic art world.

Castellani peppers her lively account with anecdotes and profiles that highlight key moments and personalities, providing a captivating insight into the mechanisms that have shaped the art market as we now know it. The book features a new artwork by Maurizio Cattelan on its cover, along with a foreword by Massimiliano Gioni, artistic director of the New Museum, New York.