The 21st century is an epoch of mature, well-established service industries of all kinds, including professional fine art shipping services. However, the situation wasn’t always like this. The modern art logistics industry has been shaped due to the complex impact of intersecting economic, social, and cultural changes, which we’ll discuss below.
Drivers Behind the Growth of Fine Art Shipping Services
People have always needed safe and delicate transportation of their precious art belongings. Yet, the industry has been shaping gradually in response to this rising need, molded by the following set of factors.
Growth of Art Collecting
Interest in art on the part of wealthy collectors started many centuries ago. The earliest accounts of art collection activities date back to the times of the Medici family and European rulers. These first art appreciators became the early art patrons, and delivery of rare, exclusive artworks to their palaces required a well-organized transportation system and special artwork handling.
Rise of Museums and Galleries
The first art auctions date back to the 18th century, and so does the emergence of the pioneering public collections, which became available to the broader public by means of their display at museums and galleries. The first public museums were the Louvre in Paris (established in 1793) and the British Museum in London (established in 1753). These museums, as well as many other national institutions, started acquiring artworks from distant countries and regions, thus demanding a standardized, professional logistics system for secure art shipping.
Logistics Advancements
Simultaneously with the rise of museums, the international public transportation systems experienced a boost, with the innovations of railways, steamships, and automobiles entering common use. These improvements have enabled larger-scale transportation over longer distances and elevated transportation safety to a new level.
Modern Boom in Art Appreciation
A notable contributor that shaped the modern fine art logistics industry is the post-WWII interest in art. As the world was getting more globalized and US collectors became more active in the European art market, many paintings and sculptures had to be shipped overseas to public and private collections. With such a quick rise in international art commerce, professional art shipping and insurance services quickly took shape to satisfy the collectors’ need for safety and predictability in shipping procedures.
All these trends, along with the global drive for specialization and professionalization in all fields of expertise, have led to the establishment of fine art shipping services as a mature, standalone industry. As a result of this evolution, every art owner, dealer, or artist can now enjoy safe and expert services from start to finish.