Masterworks buys paintings by well-known artists, such as Basquiat, Banksy, Warhol and Picasso, and sells shares in each one to investors. Each painting is held in its own company and registered with the SEC under Regulation A+. Masterworks stores and insures the work, then sells it after several years. If it sells for more than it cost, shareholders split the profit after fees. Founded in 2017, it opened blue-chip art to investors who could never buy a whole painting.
At a glance
| What you buy | Shares in individual artworks |
| Share price | Typically $20 |
| Stated minimum | Often $15,000, can be lowered by an advisor |
| Annual fee | 1.5%, taken as shares |
| Profit share | 20% of the profit at sale |
| Hold period | Usually 3 to 10 years |
How it works
You sign up and usually speak with a Masterworks advisor, who suggests how much to put into art based on your situation. You then buy shares in one or more paintings. Masterworks holds each work until it decides to sell, typically through an auction or private sale. When it sells, the company pays the sale costs, takes its share of the profit and distributes the rest to shareholders.
Fees
Masterworks describes its fees as 1.5% a year plus 20% of the profit when a painting sells. The annual fee is usually taken as extra shares rather than cash, which slowly dilutes your stake. Reviews also point to offering expenses of roughly 10% built into the price when a painting is first offered. Together, these take a meaningful bite out of returns.
Track record
By mid-2026, Masterworks had sold more than 20 paintings, and reviews report that each sale returned a profit to investors. That’s a short history in an art market that can move slowly and unpredictably, so past exits don’t guarantee future ones.
Liquidity
Expect your money to be tied up until the painting sells. Masterworks runs a secondary market where you can try to sell shares early, but there’s no guarantee of a buyer at the price you want.
Owen’s take
Masterworks is an interesting way to add art to a portfolio, but it’s a high-fee, long-term bet. Only put in money you won’t need for years, and keep it a small slice of what you invest.
Who it suits
It suits investors with spare capital who want exposure to fine art and can wait several years. It suits less well beginners with little to invest, or anyone who needs their money back soon.
Similar options
- Arrived sells shares in rental homes from $100.
- Fundrise invests in real estate funds.
- Acorns invests spare change in stock portfolios.
- New Silver offers real estate lending investments.
More options are in Passive Income.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Access to famous artworks
- Art is a different asset from stocks
- Every sale so far reported profitable
Cons
- High fees
- Money locked up for years
- High stated minimum
FAQ
What does Masterworks charge?
1.5% a year, taken as shares, plus 20% of the profit at sale.
What’s the minimum investment?
Often $15,000 per offering, though an advisor can lower it.
How long will my money be invested?
Usually 3 to 10 years.
Can I sell my Masterworks shares early?
You can try on its secondary market, but buyers aren’t guaranteed.
How many paintings has Masterworks sold?
More than 20 by mid-2026, all reported profitable.
