Bob Dylan has always been known for more than his music, with a wide spanning career of creativity and activism. He has become known for his artworks over the last couple of decades, particularly following the official release of his first commercially available set of works, Drawn Blank, in 2008.
Since then, he has attracted the attention of many art collectors, particularly those interested in the potential investment value of a Bob Dylan limited edition print or original painting. However, with so much hype, it can be hard to step back and make the judgement: is Bob Dylan art a worthwhile investment?
Staying Power or Star Power?
Bob Dylan’s artworks have been sought-after since he first released them for sale. This is of course due in large part to his existing fame, but the artworks themselves have garnered positive reviews for their expressive, emotive styles. And, as representations of Dylan’s views of the world, they fall into the broader cultural impact that all of his work holds.
An artwork created by a celebrity might be considered a collectible, regardless of its quality, but Dylan’s work holds its own as artwork to be appreciated regardless of the artist’s fame. This means that his work is likely to have staying power over the longer term, allowing his artworks to increase in value for investors.
However, Dylan’s fame can be a double-edged sword. The excitement of buying an artwork created by such a renowned figure can blur the lines of how much demand there is for the artwork itself. While many of Dylan’s works do sell quickly, his most recent series have not sold out with the speed of his original releases.
Which Types of Bob Dylan Artworks are Worth the Most?
When determining which of Bob Dylan’s artworks might have the most investment potential, there are a number of factors to consider:
· Original artworks by Bob Dylan are worth more than limited editions, something that will hold true for just about any artist.
· Smaller limited edition sizes of his artworks are worth more than larger sizes, as their rarity will increase demand. Open editions are almost always worth less than limited editions.
· Primary market sales can help predict which artworks will do better on the secondary market. If a collection sells out quickly when first released, it is more likely to have higher investment value.
Which Bob Dylan Artworks are most popular?
Dylan has created a number of artwork collections, each with its own distinctive style and themes. Some are sketches, others expressive watercolour or acrylic, and others fully captured realistic scenes. Generally, the more popular an artwork, the better chance it has of appreciating in value, once other factors such as rarity and original price have been considered.
In general, the most sought-after artworks by Dylan have been from his first published collection, the Drawn Blank series. The original works sold quickly, with Woman in Red Lion Pub and The Man On A Bridge each selling for £20,000 and the four-piece Train Tracks fetching £40,000. On the secondary market, the Drawn Blank artwork Side Tracks sold in 2022 for $38,079.
Supply and Demand
When it comes to judging the investment value of any artwork, the most important words are rarity and demand. If an artwork is rare, and there is demand for it, the potential for increased value is clear.
With this in mind, it is important to recognise that the edition sizes for Bob Dylan’s works has lessened the impact of the individual artworks’ rarity. In addition to this, Dylan is still actively creating his artworks. This means that new artworks will be present in the primary market, making it difficult to determine the resale value of the pieces until an edition or collection has sold out.
If you are hoping to sell a Bob Dylan artwork, and the same artwork is still available through primary market sellers, you are unlikely to find a buyer. However, if the work you have is sold out, your chances increase dramatically.
Long Term View
The popularity of Dylan’s work provides every reason to assume that his works will remain valuable collector’s items, and that many could go on to see an increased value. When it comes to newer works, however, particularly works from collections that are still available on the primary market, collectors are advised to take a longer-term view. As with most artists’ works, a quick flip is not likely.
That being said, there are Bob Dylan paintings and limited edition prints for sale on the secondary market that are finding buyers. Rare pieces, particularly those that will allow a buyer to complete a set from a particular collection, can be in particularly high demand. And, because art is not only bought for its investment value, but for the love of the work itself, there may well be buyers looking for artworks that they simply want to have on their walls.
If you are interested in selling Bob Dylan artworks, get in touch with the EzelDotz team to find out what sort of value your artwork holds.
