You often hear that an artist is on the list, so what does this really mean? Basically, it means that an artist has achieved a certain level of recognition in the art world.
Just like everyone else, an artist starts his career at the lowest level. They begin to show their work by attending local or school shows, presenting their art in galleries that specialize in emerging artists, posting their art on sites like eBay and Etsy. As his art matures and develops a distinctive style, the artist will begin to win prizes at major exhibitions, be represented in more established galleries, have articles written about him, and possibly receive museum attention.
This leads artists to look at publishers, curators, art critics, or sites that reference these artists. These entities report biographies, distributors, and secondary market information. The importance of this is that it validates that the artist is a professional, creates quality art, deserves recognition, and has greater potential to maintain or increase in value.
It’s the same kind of progression as a musician starting out at the local pub and graduating to big gigs and the version of “Rolling Stone.”
During the days before the Internet, the main reference books, a kind of “Rolling Stone” for art, in which an artist could be listed were Benezit, Mayers, and Who’s Who in American Art. Being referenced in these books qualifies the artist as “listing”. Publications in which an artist paid to be featured do not qualify artists for this distinction.
Today there are major art reference websites (most are subscription based for all or part of the information). If an artist is referenced on these sites, it is considered a “listing”. The main sites are AskArt, ArtPrice, ArtFact and ArtNet. It’s very easy to check if an artist is “listed” by checking these sites. These sites are constantly updated with new information.
Picasso, Rembrandt, and Van Gogh are examples of “listed” artists. Very few listed artists reach their level of recognition, but this illustrates that not all listed artists are created equal. Some are much more famous than others.
Just because an artist isn’t listed doesn’t mean they aren’t a creative and accomplished artist, but a “listed” artist has the added confirmation and recognition of their talent.
Most artists never receive this recognition, and sometimes not until after they pass away.
