5 Most Powerful Art Collectors in the World

When it comes to wielding influence in a marketplace, certainly the art world reigns as the supreme king of the surreal. Where else is a taxidermy shark floating in formaldehyde revered so? While many audiences, enthusiasts and critics alike take turns being fascinated or flummoxed by the shifting rules of what makes something art, certain collectors have taken it upon themselves to invest in controversial pieces regardless. These powerful individuals several things in common: they are wealthy and influential patrons whose collections often determine who's who in the art scene at any given time. A far cry from the eclectic artists themselves, these business men and women enthusiastically (if a bit ironically) fund the future of art.

Francois Pinault

This luxury tycoon is the head of PPR, a multinational holding company that owns iconic and expensive brands such as Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Sergio Rossi, and the Puma Group of stores. Additionally, he owns the famed auction house Christie's which is known for its sale of many priceless works of art. An avid collector, Francois Pinault owns over 2,000 pieces of art. Most pieces were purchased directly from the artists, which include such famous names as Damien Hirst and Jeff Koons, while others are on display in museums.

Laurence Graff

A diamond mogul who has been known to sell his jewelry to such celebrities as Victoria Beckham and Paris Hilton, Laurence Graff is becoming just as well known for his influential art purchases. Besting even the informed dealers when it comes to scooping up the goods, Graff has purchased iconic works by Basquiat and several paintings by Andy Warhol; however his pièce de résistance must certainly be Picasso's Tete de femme, which was acquired for about 13 million.

Artur Walther

What good is influence if you don't use it to expose new artists you find to international fame and recognition? That's perhaps one goal of Artur Walther, primarily a collector of photography and former partner at Goldman Sachs who now travels the world to find regional photographers and help them get a leg up in the cutthroat art world. He is known in particular for his interest in other cultures and how they document their world and his collection contains artists from Africa, Germany, and Asia.

Liu Yiqian

Out of China's several billion people, it is Liu Yiqian and his wife who are known to have the largest collection. That should say something about their passion and power when it comes to art. A self-made man and billionaire mogul, this stock trader primarily deals with classic pieces from China's storied past, including a Qing Dynasty-era imperial throne complete with carved dragons. A throne for art royalty, you might say. He is currently building a museum in Shanghai to display the entirety of their collection.

Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani

A surplus of oil in the Middle East means more money to fund a growing art collection, especially in the case of the Sheikha and Qatar. Modern art's biggest proponent, she has been called the most powerful person in the art world due to her unlimited art buying budget. This fund has helped the tiny country acquire pieces from such iconic art powerhouses as Mark Rothko, Andy Warhol and more as well as helped promote the arts in general throughout the Middle East.