True Wealth Lies in Works of Art

We live in a time when the price of almost everything keeps rising. Energy, raw materials, precious metals, technology… We readily accept paying hundreds of euros for a smartphone, thousands for a watch or a car, and significant amounts for objects that will eventually wear out or be replaced.

Yet when it comes to a work of art—an album, a book, a painting, or a film—many people still hesitate to spend €15 or €20.

What if we’ve simply reversed our priorities?

A work of art is far more than an object. It is the result of hundreds, sometimes thousands, of hours of work, years of learning, research, failures, self-doubt, and inspiration. Behind a few minutes of music or a few hundred pages often lie decades of experience.

True wealth does not exist only in material things. Gold, copper, or oil certainly have economic value. But they tell no story. They stir no emotion. They do not change the way we see the world.

A work of art does.

A song can accompany us throughout our lives. A painting can transform our perception of beauty. A novel can reshape the way we think. A work of art can become a refuge, a cherished memory, or a lasting source of inspiration.

So what does €15 or €20 really represent?

The price of two fast-food meals.
A few cups of coffee.
A monthly subscription to a digital service.
Or an object that will be forgotten a few weeks later.

In return, a work of art can provide countless hours of listening, reading, or contemplation. It can be rediscovered at different moments in life, revealing new meanings and emotions each time.

Buying a work of art is not simply purchasing a record, a book, or a painting. It is supporting a vision, encouraging creativity, and enabling artists to continue bringing beauty into a world that desperately needs it.

Beauty is not a luxury. It nourishes the mind, fuels the imagination, and enriches our inner lives.

Perhaps the real question is not, “Is this work of art worth €20?”

The better question is, “What value does beauty have in my life?”

Because true wealth is not measured only by what we own. It is also measured by what moves us, inspires us, and stays with us throughout our lives.

From that perspective, spending €15 or €20 to experience something truly sublime may be one of the best investments we can ever make.