When an artist is described as a "listed artist," what exactly does
this mean? What "list" are they referring to?

Hello.

From FineArtandAntiques.com:

"Always try and buy a piece by a 'known' or 'listed' artist. These
artists have a history of acceptance in the only true marketplace --
the open auction. The word 'listed' means that the artist is has a
listing in one of the standard reference works on art. Paintings by
these listed artists are the works that have a decent chance of value
appreciation."
http://fineartandantiques.com/advice.htm

"One way of determining the desirability of an artist is to discover
whether the artist is listed in any of the art reference books.
Artists mentioned in these art books are often referred to as "listed
artists." Probably less than one percent of artists ever make it into
one of these books. If an artist is listed it means that there is
probably enough desirability for the artist that a secondary market
(art auctions) exists for his art, although not all listed artists are
equal in desirability. A low level listed artist may have paintings
that sell in the low hundreds, while a high end listed artist may have
paintings that sell in the millions."
source: Rubylane Newsletter
http://www.rubylane.com/court/nlarticle/,article=nl20030821.html


From a discussion on this subject on a the Wet Canvas message board:

"A listed artist is someone who is usually listed in a reference book
of some kind such as the Who's Who in Art book that is usually found
in most libraries."

"What "listed" traditionally means, when used in a sales discussion,
is that the artist has had work sold at auction through some of the
big art auction houses and the prices obtained are available and
documented - listed. You can verify the true current value of the
artist's work to collectors this way."
http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23398

My searching indicates that Davenport's Art Reference & Price Guide is
one of the main reference books cited by sellers asserting that an
artist is "listed."
See:
http://www.artbusiness.com/dav0203.html

Other reference books cited include "Art Price Annual International,"
"Falk's Art Price Index" and "Who Is/Was Who in American Art."

Examples:

"Blass is listed in Davenport's Art Reference & Price Guide, Art Price
Annual International & Falk's Art Price Index, and Who Was Who in
American Art."
http://www.rubylane.com/shops/gordonsfineart/ilist/,cs=Fine+Art:Paintings:Marine%2FSeascapes.html

"Gianni is listed in Davenport?s Art Reference & Price Guide, Art
Price Annual International & Falk?s Art Price Index, Artnet, and the
signature is in European Artists: Signatures and Monograms by John
Castagno."
http://www.trocadero.com/hernhous/catalog/Archives:Fine_Art.html

-----
search strategy:
"listed artists are"
"a listed artist is"
"listed artist" "Davenport's Art Reference "

I hope this helps.

The answer exceeded my expectations in its thoroughness and length.
The addition of web site names is appreciated so that I can explore
this subject further. I was also pleased that a search strategy was
suggested since I was unsuccessful in searching for this information
on my own.

Thank you for the tip.
-juggler