Thinking about your first urban or contemporary art purchase? Here’s a straightforward checklist to help you buy art with confidence. 1) Look at materials and technique — ask what the work is made from and how it was made; that tells you about durability and care. 2) Check edition size and signatures — smaller editions and artist-signed pieces usually hold value better. 3) Confirm provenance and condition — a clear history and condition report reduce risk. We vet every artist