Why Do We Collect Art and How Has This Changed Over Time?

Why do we collect art? Is it because we love how it looks, because it tells a story, or just because it feels good to have something unique? The truth is that people have collected art for all kinds of reasons — and those reasons have changed a lot over time. From kings and queens filling their palaces with treasures, to families hanging paintings in their living rooms, to collectors today buying digital art online, collecting has always been about more than just owning pretty things. It’s a way of expressing who we are and what matters to us.

Scientists have long been fascinated by how the brain reacts to art. Looking at art lights up brain areas linked to reward, emotion, and decision-making. The field of neuroaesthetics shows that art can trigger dopamine—the “feel-good” chemical that drives pleasure and motivation. For collectors, the rush doesn’t come only from seeing art but also from owning it. Possession deepens the emotional bond, turning ownership into a source of joy and fulfillment. Many collectors even describe the feeling as addictive, similar to the satisfaction the brain gets from solving a puzzle or reaching a personal goal.

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There are many psychological drivers as to why we buy and collect art. One reason is because of an initial emotional connection. This is because some people find that a painting, sculpture or photograph resonates with them on a profound emotional level, or sparks a feeling of curiosity, nostalgia or joy, with the art often reminding them of memories. Sometimes individuals are drawn to art as it makes their home feel more personal, turning plain walls into places with art and personality.

Collecting art is often a way of showing our identity. Just like the clothes people wear, the music we listen to, or the tv shows we watch, the art we choose indicates something about who we are as a person and what we are interested in. For some people, buying and collecting art is considered to be owning a piece of history – giving them a direct connection to the artist and when it was created. Whereas for some they buy art that inspires them or sparks ideas and feelings.

Collecting art is a powerful form of self-expression. The pieces someone chooses reveals their values and personality, just as brushstrokes reveal the artist’s style. Psychologist Russell Belk’s “extended self” theory suggests that possessions become part of who we are. In the same way, every artwork in a collection reflects something about the collector. Whether it’s quiet landscapes or bold abstract pieces, art becomes a way to share one’s outlook and identity.

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It goes without saying that collecting and buying art is not just about the emotions we feel. For years, art has been considered a symbol of status, influence and wealth. If an individual displays a rare piece of art on the wall it can say so much about the owner as well as the artist. Many years ago, art buying, collecting and attending auctions was mainly something that the rich did, for examples, Kings and Queens, in order to display paintings, sculptures and other artworks in their palace to symbolise both their importance and power. Art often represented wealth, which very few could afford, but also represented the desire to support famous artists at the time.

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Gradually through time buying and collecting art started to become something that more people could do as museums and galleries began to open to visitors. Posters and prints of artwork were an easier way for people to have art in their home, meaning that art started to become less about showing off their wealth and more about our personal taste.

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More recently, it has become more common for individuals to buy art as an investment, rather than an everyday buy, with the hope that the art might increase in value over time like stocks and properties can. For other individuals, the excitement doesn’t lie in the investment side of things but instead it lies in the excitement they feel when they find that special piece of art they have been searching a while for.  

In recent years, buying art isn’t something that just happens at galleries, exhibitions, and fairs, there are now new and emerging ways of buying artwork. The most prominent new way of buying art is through social media. Technology is changing the way people collect art — shaping both what counts as art and how we buy and own it. Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have created a new space for digital art, using blockchain to guarantee authenticity and rarity. Tools like AI, AR, and VR are also transforming how we experience art. Virtual galleries and apps now let collectors preview works in their homes or interact with digital creations. These innovations make art more accessible, bringing new and younger audiences into the world of collecting. Social media is no longer just a place where we can upload photos of art but also a place where people can buy our work.

Moreover, there has been an increase in the number of people buying and selling digital art that does not exist physically, showing how buying art is less about having a physical work to display but more about the meaning of the work and what it represents.  

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Art collecting looks different across cultures. In East Asia, collectors often value historical pieces like ceramics or ink paintings, reflecting respect for ancestry. In the West, collecting has centered more on individual artists, making paintings and portraits especially popular. Today, globalism is blending these traditions. Rising markets in places like China, India, and the Middle East are adding their own tastes and traditions to the global art scene, from auctions to biennales. This mix of cultures expands the reasons people collect and raises questions about how art’s meaning shifts across different societies.

In conclusion, buying and collecting art is not only about owning objects to display. It is also about what draws us to the art, the emotions we feel, and the connections it has to culture, history, and ourselves. Some of us buy art as an investment while others buy it because it puts a smile on their face. No matter what the reason for buying art is, collecting art is about buying something that connects and matters to us[i] [ii].

If you could start your own art collection, what would you choose?

References;

[i] “The Psychology of Art Collecting: Why We Love to Own Beauty,” n.d. https://www.artrewards.net/editorial/the-psychology-of-collecting-why-we-love-to-own-art#:~:text=Emotional%20Connection%20and%20the%20Allure,irreplaceable%20piece%20of%20human%20creativity.

[ii] Basel, Art. “Why Do People Collect? The Psychologist’s View | Art Basel.” Art Basel, March 1, 2024. https://www.artbasel.com/news/survey-global-collectors-art-basel-professor-andrew-dillon-university-of-texas.