Subjectivity of Value

June 9, 2025

Value is one of the most subjective concepts we encounter in life. What is priceless to one person may be entirely worthless to another. Nowhere is this paradox more evident than in the world of art.

We've all heard the questions: “Why is this painting worth so much?” or “I could do that myself—how is it art?” These comments reveal more about the speaker than they do about the work itself. The truth is, the value of something—whether it's a painting, a sculpture, or even a well-worn book—isn't a fixed number. It lives and breathes through perception.

For someone with a deep passion for art, value isn’t just tied to the price tag or prestige. It’s about excellence, vision, historical context, cultural relevance, rarity, and the emotional resonance a piece can evoke. To an outsider, a canvas filled with abstract shapes may seem like random brushstrokes. But to a collector, historian, or fellow artist, it might speak volumes—about a time period, a movement, a personal struggle, or a shift in human understanding.

Take, for example, a torn photograph found in a shoebox. To one person, it’s trash. To another, it’s the last image of a loved one, a cherished memory, an irreplaceable artifact of a life once shared. The same principle applies to art. The deeper your understanding or emotional connection, the more likely you are to recognize its worth.

But this leads to a crucial insight: it is not the artist's role to control or predict the public’s response. Their task is to create—to pour their effort, skill, and spirit into every stroke, sculpture, or sketch. When an artist holds high regard for their own work, that passion often becomes infectious. The care, intention, and discipline behind the piece radiate through, and others begin to see it too.

Still, the reception will always vary. Some will treasure it, others will pass it by. And that’s okay. It’s a reflection of the beautifully diverse lenses through which we all see the world.

In the end, the subjectivity of value isn’t a flaw—it’s what makes art, and life, so rich. It means that everything has the potential to be meaningful, to someone, somewhere. And it reminds us to keep an open mind, because what we overlook might just be someone else’s masterpiece.