I'd go along with the general belief that the art market is a bit 'soft' , but saying that , I've sold 6 units (paintings) for a bit more than 10k each so far this year ...
I certainly see a bunch of things done by listed artists , but seldom see hefty bidding/offers on landscape , animal , portraits or still-life themed paintings , both oils & w/c &/or mixed media , as of late .
There have been several exceptions to this (in the N.W. U.S & France) , esp. when a local/regional artists' work comes up for sale in the region where the artist either worked or lived .... sometimes surprisingly so .
Just a real ton of artwork that has gone 'out of fashion' has been seen by my eyes this year ; I see inflated pricing of many of these & see them being liquidated as 'lots' more often than not (private sales/estate sales) , as folk at the auctions I've been attending seem to want something else .
I do agree that it is a fine time to pick up artwork from listed artists selling in the $1000 & less price range (provided the buyer can sit on them for a few years... or a decade) .... seen a few pearls in that swine-pen !
Have not ever seen as many vintage & antique prints as have witnessed this year (sometimes with delusional 'values' put on them) .
All-in-all , Rauville , perhaps your little pearl is just waiting for the right diver to discover it !