While the regular art market has difficulty coping with the resistance caused by the economical downfall, religious art withstands all very well and in some cases even flourishes, as reported in the Dutch newspaper ‘Trouw’.

The specialised trader Heralde Peters of Fluminalis in Horssen, deals in religious art like statues of saints, paintings, altar pieces and church relics. He states that they never really noticed any downfall in their business. The Dutch market fluctuates somewhat, but other markets are doing exceptionally well and exports to the USA and Japan has been subject to a boost. The economical crisis has hit these countries hard, but their sales are more than encouraging.

The Dutch pastor and dealer in early religious art Ricus Dullaert, does not entirely agree. He deals amongst others in Russia icons. The Russian market being an important target market for Dullaert, is subject to fading sales, this due to the decline of the oil prices which have affected his Russian clients. The Dutch market is in a far better state, but not very consistent. In November he sold very well at the pAn-Amsterdam, whereas in April his participation at ArtFair Den Bosch was less successful.

Joost Heutink, a neuropsychologist at the University of Groningen and dealer in Russian icons, says that within the sector of fine- and applied arts, religious art is most probably one of the most stable disciplines. Yes clients take more time before decisions are made to purchase a piece, Heutink claims, but people with a stable economical position like physicians, tend to purchase art instead of going for the speculative investments in companies.

Heutink thinks that people are inclined to look at money in a very different way. They realise that spending spears are of the past and a more conscious approach is more fitting in these times, and at the same time they recognise that money is finite. They realise that cash is not so fulfilling at all, and choose to spend it on art. This investment is not so much done in order to generate financial gain, but more to undergo eye pleasing satisfaction from a work of art that retains its value.

Last but not least Joost Heutink says that religious art is not affected by trends and fits within the philosophy that there is more to life than gaining as much financial means as possible.

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