This course is an analytical survey of the emergence of art markets, interactions between market behavior(s) and visual/media culture(s). It addresses questions regarding the nature and specificity of art markets, the application of economic and historical methodologies, how and where players in local markets throughout the world shape visual culture(s), effective causes for art consumption, taste and fashion throughout the ages and methodological implications of art market research at the interface of economics, art history, law and visual studies.