Hiscox Online Art Trade Report Archive

Each year we take a deep dive into the online art trade, looking at the trends, figures, and platforms which are steering the industry. Our archive of Art Trade Reports will allow you to trace the growth of the online art world and look at how established businesses and new platforms are adapting to the digital market.

Looking for our most recent report? Click here to view the Hiscox Online Art Trade Report 2023.

Hiscox Online Art Trade Report 2023

  • Online sales an estimated $10.8 billion, up 6% from $10.2 billion in 2021
  • Two years of accelerated growth boosts the market’s value by around $5.4 billion
  • Fractional ownership on the up as 61% plan to invest in the year ahead
  • 54% expressed little or no concern for the environmental impact of buying art online
Download the full report 2023

Hiscox Online Art Trade Report 2021: Part One

  • An estimated $3.125 billion, or 46% of online art sales in the first half of 2021 were sold through mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
  • Fine art accounted for the largest share of online sales from the platforms; 27%, down from 32% in 2020.
  • More online platforms are going to accept cryptocurrency payments, with nearly four in ten (38%) planning to accept crypto payments within the next 12 months, a big rise on last year (15%).
  • There has been a significant rise in the number of online art platforms that intend to embed blockchain technology into their businesses.
Download the full report 2021: Part One

Hiscox Online Art Trade Report 2021: Part Two

  • An estimated $3.125 billion, or 46% of online art sales in the first half of 2021 were sold through mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
  • Fine art accounted for the largest share of online sales from the platforms; 27%, down from 32% in 2020.
  • More online platforms are going to accept cryptocurrency payments, with nearly four in ten (38%) planning to accept crypto payments within the next 12 months, a big rise on last year (15%).
  • There has been a significant rise in the number of online art platforms that intend to embed blockchain technology into their businesses.
Download the full report 2021: Part Two

Hiscox Online Art Trade Report 2020: Part Two

  • Uplift in online art market activity following the Covid-19 pandemic is sustained
  • Young and new art collectors take the plunge
  • The growth of compassionate consumption
  • Loyalty wanes

Hiscox Online Art Trade Report 2020: Part One

  • Online art and collectible sales grew 4% in 2019 generating an estimated $4.82 billion.
  • Down from 9.8% in 2018, this is the fourth consecutive year the annual growth rate has fallen.
  • Despite a slowdown in the overall global art market, 80% of online art platforms expect online sales to increase in the next 12 months.
  • 65% of online sales platforms said they expected the pandemic to have a permanent and transformative impact on the sector.
Download the full report 2020: Part One

Hiscox Online Art Trade Report 2019

  • Online art market sales reached an estimated $4.64 billion, up 9.8% in 12 months.
  • Confidence among online art platforms falls from 96% in 2018 to 77%.
  • Instagram remains the art world’s favourite social media platform, preferred by 65% of respondents.
  • More millennials buying art online, with 29% saying they prefer to purchase online compared to just 14% in 2018.
Download the full report 2019

Hiscox Online Art Trade Report 2018

  • Online art market sales reached an estimated $4.22 billion.
  • 90% of new buyers said price transparency was a key attribute and criteria when buying art online.
  • 41% of online art platforms believe the online art market will consolidate into only a few global platforms.
  • 41% of online art buyers are ‘concerned’ or ‘very concerned’ about cybercrime when buying art online.
Download the full report 2018

Hiscox Online Art Trade Report 2016

  • Online art market sales see a 24% growth in 12 months.
  • Traditional galleries and auction houses begin to catch up with e-commerce players.
  • An overall slow-down in art sales is predicted to affect e-commerce.
  • Instagram is increasingly used by artists, galleries, museums and auction houses.
Download the full report 2016

Hiscox Online Art Trade Report 2015

  • Value of the online art market rises from $1.57 billion to $2.64 billion.
  • Online purchase of art as investment sees a growth in uptake.
  • Online art auctions and marketplaces see a triple-digit growth over the year.
  • 41% of respondents cite social media as driving them to an online art sales platform.
Download the full report 2015

Hiscox Online Art Trade Report 2014

  • Confidence in buying online grows, with price tolerance rising.
  • Online-only platforms begin to build brand trust and awareness among consumers.
  • The potential for e-commerce to support physical galleries is recognised.
  • Christie’s and Sotheby’s online sales begin to grow.
Download the full report 2014

Hiscox Online Art Trade Report 2013

  • The online art market increases the potential of the lower-end of the art market.
  • Limited edition prints and photography are considered the most suited to online sales.
  • Traditional galleries are slow to move into the world of e-commerce.
  • Artists sell directly to their fan base, without the use of intermediaries.
Download the full report 2013

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