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While I agree with Professor Finley that the " internet has taken out some of the "fan fare of the auction experience" (wiki comment), I believe the auction houses and the galleries (especially those affiliated with branded dealers), will continue to be the standard for buying and selling art, particularly any significant works. The power of the branded auction houses and their media coverage is a key component of the success of the art market. For those that can attend the preview, it may be just as important as the auction (if not more so) in terms of being seen amongst the art market players - something that can't be done over the internet. And while going to the inspection may make bidding on line more comfortable, it cannot replace the live auction. Yes, art can be bought and sold without a Christie's or Sotheby's. But the people in art world (and probably most all people) love the sensationalism associated with a major auction – it fuels the art market in a way that neither eBay nor any online art auction can. They also like how the star-power of a branded dealer increases prices and notoriety of artists, which in turn I think helps grow the market. So while I believe that internet art sales will expand, I don't see it significantly changing the dominance of the auction houses and galleries in the art market.
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