How is art sales culture changing in the Czech Republic?

Advances have been made since the 1990s but there is still some way to go before being on par with Western Europe, experts concur

14. 08. 2019 | idnes.cz

When my wife and I established Arthouse Hejtmánek auction house in 2013, there were no auction houses in the Czech Republic that matched our ideas about a range of art for collectors and exacting clients. We were greatly inspired by foreign auction houses, and our vision was to raise the bar for the Czech auction market. We have always focused our attention on high-quality European old art and antiques, design, and a selection of modern and contemporary art.

Since 1989 the art market has gone through many changes at various levels. The main players among the auction houses have distinguished themselves, remaining faithful to their specializations and improving the professional level of their auction catalogues. Modern technology has brought regularity to the auction calendar and general flexibility at the auctions.

Art is gradually becoming more established also from an investment perspective. People from the financial sector can rely on well-kept sales statistics. In addition to auction houses, there are several private galleries in the Czech Republic that have an established level of credibility for collectors. Into the future, it would of course only help art today if state art institutions could build on its prestige – as is the case elsewhere in the world.

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