Monet Painting for 80 Million Dollars: An Investment Vehicle?

I heard the sale of Claude Monet "Le bassin aux nympheas" characterized as an investment vehicle.
It fetched around 80 Million Dollars at the Christie's sale in London.

The Independent shares the details in Monet masterpiece sells for nearly £41m (June 25, 2008).
Do you collect Art for Art's sake or as an hedge against market turbulence?
Is is wise or plain wishful thinking?

Related: Milles Sabords...1932 Tintin Cover Original Painting fetches $1.2 Million