100 Secrets of the Art World by Magnus Resch and Thomas Girst
Last updated: 2 October 2026
100 Secrets of the Art World is a pocket-sized paperback of short tips from artists, curators, dealers and collectors, edited by Magnus Resch and Thomas Girst. Contributors include Jeff Koons, Marina Abramović, Hans Ulrich Obrist and Larry Gagosian. Koenig Books published it in October 2016 at 144 pages. On 2 October 2026 Amazon UK had the paperback at £6.31, with one copy left in stock.
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What 100 Secrets of the Art World covers
Each contributor gives one secret: a habit, a rule of thumb or a piece of inside knowledge from their part of the art world. The entries are short, so most take a minute to read. Some are practical advice about buying, showing or looking at art. Others are personal stories from people who run museums, galleries and auction houses.
The full subtitle sets the tone: Everything you always wanted to know about the arts but were afraid to ask. It suits someone curious about how the art market works, or someone thinking about buying a first piece.
Who contributed
The publisher's list of contributors runs across the whole art world. Artists and architects include Jeff Koons, Zaha Hadid, Marina Abramović, Olafur Eliasson, John Baldessari and Isaac Julien. From museums and galleries there are Hans Ulrich Obrist, Daniel Birnbaum, Klaus Biesenbach, Jeffrey Deitch, Larry Gagosian and Matthew Slotover, who co-founded Frieze. The contributors also include people from the Centre Pompidou, the Guggenheim, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMA and Tate Modern.
Magnus Resch is an art market economist and the author of Management of Art Galleries, published by Phaidon. Thomas Girst has been head of cultural engagement at the BMW Group since 2003. The role covers the company's partnerships with museums and art fairs. The US distributor, ARTBOOK | D.A.P., describes the book as a guide to contemporary art built from the insights of these figures.
Key facts
- Editors: Magnus Resch and Thomas Girst
- Publisher: Koenig Books (Walther und Franz König)
- Published: October 2016
- Format: paperback, 144 pages, about 12 x 17.5cm, so it fits in a coat pocket
- Illustrations: 8 black and white
- ISBN: 9783863359614
- Price: £6.31 on Amazon UK on 2 October 2026
- Ratings: 3.7 out of 5 from 59 ratings on Amazon UK, checked the same day
Who it suits
- Gallery-goers: the entries explain how curators and dealers think, which helps on a visit to a commercial gallery or an art fair.
- First-time collectors: some entries cover buying, pricing and building a collection.
- Art students: it gives a quick view of the people who run the institutions students will deal with after college.
- Gift buyers: at around £6 it is a small extra present for someone who likes art.
The limits
The book is ten years old. Some of the market advice predates online viewing rooms, the 2021 boom in digital art and the art market slowdown since 2023. The entries are short, so readers who want depth will find it thin. It has 3.7 out of 5 on Amazon UK, so expect a quick dip rather than a book to study. For a longer read on how to look at paintings, the painter David Salle's How to See collects his essays on other artists.
Where to buy 100 Secrets of the Art World in the UK
Amazon UK had the paperback at £6.31 on 2 October 2026, but with only one copy in stock, so the price may change once it sells. If it goes out of stock, the ISBN above will find it at other booksellers. Planning a trip to the fairs? Our Frieze London guide covers tickets, times and what to see.
100 Secrets of the Art World on Amazon UK
FAQs
What is 100 Secrets of the Art World?
It is a short paperback of tips and stories from people across the art world, including artists, curators, gallerists and collectors. Magnus Resch and Thomas Girst edited it.
How much does 100 Secrets of the Art World cost in the UK?
Amazon UK had it at £6.31 on 2 October 2026, with one copy left in stock.
Who contributed to 100 Secrets of the Art World?
Contributors include Jeff Koons, Marina Abramović, Zaha Hadid, Olafur Eliasson, Hans Ulrich Obrist and Larry Gagosian, along with people from MoMA, Tate Modern and the Guggenheim.
Is 100 Secrets of the Art World useful for new collectors?
It gives quick tips rather than a full guide. Use it for ideas and pointers, then read longer books or talk to galleries before spending serious money.
How long is 100 Secrets of the Art World?
It has 144 pages in a small format of about 12 x 17.5cm, and the entries are short enough to read in one sitting.
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