Amazon is getting into the art business.

Fine art has lived in a bit of a bubble. Unlike music, books, and news, technology hasn’t disrupted the power of gallery owners very much. Unlike other forms of media, art isn’t quite the same online as it is in person, and galleries have leveraged that in-person emotion to ensure they remain the primary middlemen connecting producers and art lovers.

Many online destinations have attempted (and failed) to take on the art business, but Amazon has the size and clout to potentially make a dent.

Right now the marketplace is working with select (small and medium size) galleries to essentially increase visibility of their collection. Artists are not able to sell their art directly via Amazon which may lead many to believe this benefits speculators and galleries more than it does artists. That said, it’s worth paying attention to Amazon Art’s evolution simply because getting early involved may prove lucrative to artists (and galleries) looking for increased visibility.

So who do you think will be most excited about this move?

-Lazy billionaires?

-Artists?

-Up-and-coming galleries?

-Average art appreciators?