← Magazine Collector Insights · December 8, 2025 · 4 min read

Investment & Inspiration: Three Artists to Start 2026 With

Start 2026 inspired: discover Sven Liesy, Matthias Hübner and Erich Graf – plus a tip for businesses on buying art at year’s end.

Investment & Inspiration: Three Artists to Start 2026 WithAI-generated

2025 is drawing to a close. It is a time for reflection and the perfect moment to set the course for the year ahead. While the world outside stands still for a moment, we at Favori Art are looking forward.

For art collectors and aesthetes, December is a decisive month. It is not only about closing the year but about creating lasting value that endures beyond the turn of the calendar. Buying art now means investing in the atmosphere of your home or office for the next 365 days.

As a curatorial team, we looked back on the year and asked ourselves: which artistic positions moved us most? Which signatures have the power to set the tone in 2026 as well? We chose three talents whose development has been remarkable and for whom we see an exciting future.

Think of this as our “Curator’s Pick” for the new year – three rising stars with the potential to enrich your collection for the long term.

1. Sven Liesy: When Color Becomes Language

A symbol of growth and strength: “Crazy Red Bull” (2025) by Sven Liesy – a prime example of the unleashed energy of Neo-Expressionism.

There is art that pleases. And there is art that happens.

Sven Liesy belongs to the second category. His works do not ask for permission – they take over the room. Liesy stands in the tradition of Neo-Expressionism but reinterprets it with a radically contemporary materiality.

Why we are betting on Liesy for 2026

What makes Liesy’s art so compelling for the market is the authenticity of his story. As an artist, he turns personal hurdles – such as his red-green color blindness or ADHD – into fuel for an entirely new aesthetic.

He does not paint in spite of these traits but because of them. His use of unusual materials such as leather, car paint and coarse canvas creates a texture you can barely grasp on a screen.

The interior effect: a large-format work by Liesy is more than decoration – it is an anchor. In minimalist, contemporary homes, his “unfiltered energy” breaks up sterility. A strong statement for the new year: the courage to be imperfect.

Discover the works of Sven Liesy

2. Matthias Hübner: The Architect of Surreal Dreams

Between human and pixel: in “Digital” (2025), Matthias Hübner deconstructs the classical portrait – a visionary statement piece about identity in a fragmented world.

Standing in front of a work by Matthias Hübner, you have to look twice. Hübner is a master at playing with human perception.

He works in a fascinating space between classical, almost Old Master figuration and surreal, digital disruptions.

Modern surrealistic realism: the spirit of the times

Hübner’s work captures the zeitgeist perfectly. We are seeing a return to figurative painting – with a contemporary twist.

His use of neon elements and the hard contrast between black-and-white realism and vivid accents of color feel like a collision of dream and digital reality.

Why this work belongs in your collection: Hübner is the artist for the visionary collector. His paintings are perfect conversation pieces. Collecting Hübner today means securing an aesthetic that is technically brilliant and strikingly contemporary at the same time.

Step into the worlds of Matthias Hübner

3. Erich Graf: A Radical Return to Mastery

The king of the forest calls for calm: Erich Graf’s “Deer modern” (2023) brings the sublime stillness of nature into your living room – a masterpiece of contemporary realism.

In a world increasingly flooded with AI-generated images, the art of Erich Graf feels almost revolutionary.

Why? Because it makes us pause. Graf is a master of realism – but not a sterile copying of nature. His work is an homage to it.

Timeless values in uncertain times

Whether animal portraits or landscapes, his technique is so finely nuanced that you almost believe you can hear the subject breathe. Graf’s art radiates a deep calm and permanence – a counterweight to the rush of everyday life.

In the art market, we see a strong longing for craftsmanship.

The promise of permanence: quality never goes out of style. Graf’s works are timeless acquisitions. For buyers who want to bring the untouched beauty of nature into their spaces, Graf is an excellent choice – not a fleeting trend, but lasting value for generations.

Bring nature home – Erich Graf at Favori Art


Expert tip: buying art in December

For entrepreneurs, law firms and medical practices in Germany: looking for a way to reduce taxable business profit before the end of the year? Under German tax law, original works of art can, under certain conditions, be claimed as a business expense – in particular when they furnish business premises (offices, meeting rooms, waiting areas) and contribute to their appearance and to the company’s image.

Special depreciation rules also apply to low-value assets (“Geringwertige Wirtschaftsgüter”) within the current year.

Invest in your corporate culture and upgrade your premises for 2026.

(Please consult your tax advisor for details and your individual options.)


Conclusion: Take Inspiration into the New Year

2026 is just around the corner. It will be another year full of speed and noise. All the more important is what welcomes you when you come home or walk into your office.

Whether the raw energy of Sven Liesy, the surreal dream worlds of Matthias Hübner or the grounding calm of Erich Graf – these works are more than canvas and paint. They are a promise to yourself to make room for creativity and quality in the new year.

Give yourself something that lasts. Discover our highlights of the year.

View the 2026 Selection

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