Reading Comps: 5 Research Filters that Matter

As we head into back-to-school and back-to-work season, I’m kicking off with a fresh series of art tips for my fellow art lovers and collectors.

In light of the recent Armory Show and the many acquisitions still trading hands (despite the post-COVID contraction and market evolution), it’s the perfect time to revisit how to read auction comparables. Even if there aren’t past sales yet, comparing how similar works are selling can offer valuable insight into how collectors and galleries think about pricing.

Here are the five filters that matter most:

1️⃣ The Artist — the market follows names. Reputation, career trajectory, and demand for an artist are the strongest drivers of value.

2️⃣ The Medium — paintings, works on paper, photography, or sculpture all trade at very different levels, even by the same artist.

3️⃣ The Year / Period — peak years or historically important phases often command premiums compared to outlier or transitional works.

4️⃣ The Subject Matter — iconic themes (portraits, abstractions, signature motifs) resonate more strongly than experimental or atypical pieces.

5️⃣ The Dimensions — scale affects both impact and pricing. A museum-scale canvas lives in a different market tier than a sketchbook drawing.

Stay artwise!

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