Buying Art: Original or Repro?

Undecided about buying original artworks or reprints for your home? Here are a few factors that you should consider when buying decorative art for the first time.

Purchase price

While it is true that a reproduction piece will never fetch the same price as its original, some reproductions are priced so high that you wonder if you are better off buying something original and cheaper instead. 

With countless options for home decorative art, one needs to consider the eternal trade-off: Instead of buying a mass-produced reproduction whose popularity rides on a famous work, should you put the money towards an undiscovered original work from a relatively obscure artist, especially a local promising upstart? Very often, local original pieces can be bought at prices comparable or even lower than expensive reproductions of famous works.

Investment value

Without a doubt, a worthy original art piece will likely hold or increase in value, as long as it is not damaged in any way. This is opposed to the usually insignificant investment value of most mass reproductions. 

However, not all reproductions merely hold a decorative value. Some limited and authorised reproduction runs of certain well-known artists (especially dead famous artists) have actually gained value over time, simply due to the scarcity and quality of the reproductions. 

That said, one should note that in Singapore and Asia particularly, the rising tide of Asian artists coming to prominence is stronger than ever before. Hence, it is possible to still buy good original art that is bargain-priced and likely to appreciate in value over time.

Access to masterful work

The truth is that for most people, except for the select few who can afford to pay millions for a Rembrandt or a Monet, owning a truly important original masterpiece is far out of reach. And the only way to come close to owning such important works is to buy accurate reproductions. 

With these accurate reproductions, one can admire or have a closer look at the style and techniques of the masters, in the comfort of their own homes. This eliminates the need to view the original masterpieces in museums in distant countries.

Mask sculpture from Malaysia.

Wear and tear

If your household is full of children or roaming pets, you should really think about buying reproductions for your main living quarters since you would not want your prized originals to be damaged in any way. If you do have playful children or pets, keep your expensive art collection in a room or part of the house safely locked away.

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