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An eBay auction in cyberspace is like a football game without a live audience.  Similarly, bidding on line through Sotheby's BidNow or , Christie's Live or eBay is really no different than watching a ball game from your couch.  The essence of the auction is not participation by everyone in attendance; instead it is the sensationalism and marketing dynamic it gives the art market; the auction is a "spectator sport" (Thornton 9).   That .  That is not to say that online art auctions and purchases are a dying aspect of the art market.  To the contrary, I think the future for the electronic art market is bright as they have it has been able to survive despite major obstacles. The issue issues of authenticity and the tangible nature of art, which while important, do not seem to have significantly deterred buying art online.

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 galleries will continue to be the standard for transacting major art acquisitionsbuying and selling art, especially 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 (if not more so) in terms of being seen amongst the art market players, ; and while it the preview may make bidding on line more comfortable, it cannot replace the auction.  Yes, art can be bought and sold without a Christie's or Sotheby's.  But the art world (and I think most everyone) loves the sensationalism associated with a major auction – it fuels the art market in a way that neither eBay nor any online art auction can.

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