This course investigates the art market as a process of bringing art works to sale. It offers an historical overview from the Renaissance artists workshops and guilds and a detailed study of contemporary Australian art. The subject explores the development of patronage, taste and collecting, and the impact of these phenomena on the subsequent rise of the international art market. Key elements in the Australian art market under investigation in this course include the fragmentation of the art market, Australian Movable Cultural Heritage, and artistic reputation. The subject assists students to understand commodification in the art world and the processes by which artworks are brought to sale.