Oscar Wilde, in his play, The Picture of Dorian Grey, said: "It is the spectator, and not life, that art mirrors." His words ring true in wealthy consumers: as investor confidence rises, so does their appetite for buying art.

Nearly 70% of art collectors say now is the time to buy, according to the monthly Art Market Confidence Index provided by research provider artprice. Forty four per cent believe art prices will rise over the next three months.