A lot of people don't dare to enter art galleries, either because they are too intimidated or because they are suspicious of a pricing system that is too opaque. Galleries, of course, see these newcomers as threats. The physical contact with a work of art is indispensable. Even with catalogs, I've already had bad surprises, such as holes in paintings that weren't visible in the photo. The other online buyers will be those that have already seen the works that interest them in galleries.
Critics are emotional.
It's because of the Internet that so much information can be made accessible, that so many players can join in, and that greater transparency is finally being attained. The art market may be on its way to becoming an economic ideal after all. The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved.