Art is not a speculative financial instrument , its purpose isn ’ t about acquiring surplus value as time persists , any gallery that tries to market this concept , offering services “ investing in art ” are obnoxious charlatans . They are condescending , perpetuating an illusion of appearing omniscient to cajole susceptible clients into purchasing the most expensive / convenient piece in their inventory , audaciously proclaiming gargantuan “ 25 % yearly returns on investments ”. These statistics are apocryphal , nothing more than the product of a fraudulently fabricated conspiracy . “ Investment ” galleries are little more than vanity facades run by tasteless , self-obsessed culturally illiterate pseudo-socialite reality television show personalities , they know absolutely nothing about art and are certainly no authority on advising other people on what art to buy .