Auction House Sotheby's (Sotheby's). How Russians are traded at Sotheby's auction Auction House Sotheby Sotheby S
In the Moscow Center, the garage ended the exhibition "Betting on publicity. Auction "Sothebyis" in Moscow, 1988 "
The only real overseas Auction "Russian Avangard and Modern Soviet Art", held in Russia, is interesting today and as a commercial, and as a social experiment. How was art estimated 30 years ago and today? Who have taken into the future? How time adjusted ranks and prices?
"Sothebyis" of 1988 became not only a bold commercial, but primarily an archent diplomatic event. Whether it was possible: the notorious "godits the Englishman" suddenly invites and brings his mrovers-twisters to buy art yesterday the hostile "top volt with rockets". Perestroika, publicity, drunk air of freedom, suddenly announced confidence atmosphere ... Yes, and the opportunity to legally buy and take the first Russian avant-garde. As for the export, even a special disposal of the authorities was obtained - the question was decided at the highest level.
The auction spawned a lot of expectations. From the side he seemed a magic entrance ticket to the world art market and generally distributed a lot of advances. In the preface to the trading catalog, signed by the Chairman of Sotheby's Honorable Count Gauri, there are such words: "Sotheby is proud to conduct the first international auction of artistic works in the Soviet Union. We are confident that it will not be the last, since there is nothing better for the development of cultural ties, as a free exchange of ideas and works of art between young artists, collectors and students of the faculties of the arts of all countries of the world. "
They are sure ... "Dreams, Milord, I saw dreams, they are chisty as tears." It took 30 years, but not a single foreign auction came to Russia.
And will not come in the foreseeable future.
For three decades, that first and so far the last Moscow Sothebyis managed to turn a multitude of legends. About the affairs of beautiful and not very. "Not very" - as it began to get a very Soviet in spirit from the people who have spoiled by the apartment question: who to take on the auction, and whom not to take, who is their own, and who is in Blat. Artists urgently issued a grocery deficit so that there was no shame to foreigners. With money (according to the contract, artists promised money: currency and rubles at the rate), too, they say, not everything turned out beautifully. Where is famous? I told me about the witnesses of those events themselves. About something can be read in the books of the participant of those trading artist Grisha Bruskina. By the way, I can safely advise his "past time of imperfect" or any other book: it is written talented and aptly, read in one breath. In general, it was or was not, but this I would quite believe: everything is very in the spirit of late Soviet times.
But legends legends, and the realistic texture can still be reconstructed with a high propriety of trading catalog, according to protocols and other documents shown at the exhibition. So, that's what happened then:
1. On July 7, 1988, Sotheby's Auction Catalog of July 7, 1988 were included: Grisha Bruskin, Sergey Volkov, Alexander Treak, Evgeny Dybsky, Yuriy Amany, Ilya Glazunov, Vadim Zakharov, Ilya Kabakov, Svetlana Kopysteanskaya, Igor Kopysteansky, Dmitry Krasnopvetsev, Bella Levikova, Mallie Leis, Tatyana Nazarenko, Irina Nakhova, Vladimir Nemhin, Natalia Nesterova, Arkady Petrov, Dmitry Plavinsky, Leonid Purygin, Alexander Rachenko, Alexander Sitnikov, Anatoly Slepyshev, Varvara Stepanova, Ilya Tabenkin, Lev Tabenkin, Natalia Udaltsova, Nikolay Filatov , Ivan Chuikov, Eduard Steinberg, Sergey Shutov, Gia Edgagvenze, Maria Ender, Vladimir Yankilevsky. Of the 34 artists of the surname, four today are not hearing, and everyone else is regularly sold on world and Russian auctions. So in this matter - Bravo, Sotheby's!
2. Total set 120 lots. Of these, 8 works (most of all) put the artist Vadim Zakharov, followed by Alexander Rachenko (7 works), Grisha Brucin, Svetlana and Igor Kopysteansky (6 each). In general, most authors in the catalog entered 2-4 work. It is easier to list those who had only one picture or drawing: Mary Ender, Tatyana Nazarenko, Dmitry Plavinsky and Vladimir Yankilevsky.
3. A particularly valuable Russian avant-garde was for some reason "on warming up": it was sold in the first string, from 1 to 18 lots. The work of the Russian avant-garde, the work of Hope Udaltsova, Alexander Tree, Alexander Rodchenko, Varvara Stepanova and Mary Ender were presented.
4. The most expensive work at the auction was the abstract Line canvas of 1922 by Alexander Rodchenko's brushes: they paid £ 330,000 for him, that is, $ 564,300.
5. The most affordable work on those trading cost £ 2,22, or $ 3,762. For this same amount, several works left at once: three one-and-half meter Yuri canvas are confidentially, a large painting of Bella Levikov and two canvas of Ilya Tablekin.
6. Only foreigners could buy for currency. Soviet artists and heirs of avant-garders were 60% of the amount of implementation (the rest of the organizers), from which 10% in the currency, and the rest in rubles at the transfer rate.
7. Elton John bought lots 51 and 56 - Svetlana paintings and Igor Kopysteansky. Each for £ 44,000 ($ 75 240). Lot 57 (Copystyansky) bought according to the author David Bowie, for £ 24,200 ($ 41 382). Also in the protocol, the head is inscribed that the head of Sothebisa Alfred Taubman bought the picture of Ilya Kabakov "Answers of the Experimental Group" for £ 22,000 ($ 37,620).
8. The total sales, according to the protocol, amounted to £ 2,085,000 (including a 10% commission). The share of leakage by my estimates was 94%. In other sources, a figure of 98% is found. But, according to the protocol, out of 120 lots (the last lot was number 119, but there were 4 and 4a) 7 were unsold.
9. The Russian avant-garde is officially and publicly sold to foreigners with a permit for export. The works of the artists of the Russian avant-garde entered the auction not from the museum funds, but from the private collections of families and heirs.
10. In fact, with the first blow of the hammer Simon de Puri in the field of art in the USSR, the market has come. After that, for several years, many participants in Moscow Sotbis are moved to the West. Some forever. Moscow auction "Sothebyis" became the last major event in 1988, which actually ends the chronology of underground and unofficial art in the well-known reference book "Other Art." And it is difficult to disagree with this: what is openly sold in the Sovin Center, you will not call underground.
Recall individual paintings and drawings from those historical trading.
Comment: Work Rodchenko "Clown. The scene in the circus "is one of the few, which could be alive to look at the exhibition in the" Garage ". It was provided by the Moscow collectors Marina and Boris Molchanov. It is known about it that on April 26, 2006, she was oversold by the current owner on Sotheby's in New York for $ 528,000, that is, 10 times more expensive than was bought by 18 years earlier in the USSR. "Clown" is interesting, in particular, by the fact that this is one of the first paintings (and maybe the first), which Rodchenko did in 1935 after a long period of refusal of painting. Before that, he did not take for the brush for 14 years, believing that he was not painting, but only a photo corresponded to the tasks of time. At the moment, the price guideline for the work of this class is already about $ 1,200,000.
Comment: Avant-garde ornaments, patterns and concepts of Varvara Stepanova in recent years are especially in demand by Russian designers. Its stylist - recognizable rhombuses - they were in service with the design of the metro, when developing a style of the form of the Russian Olympic team for games in Rio in 2016 and even when creating all the corporate identity of the celebration of the 870th anniversary of Moscow. For Gaisha, sold to Sotheby's in 1988, it is possible to name not only today's price guidelines, but also a recent auction price: this drawing for fabric at the end of 2016. Today, this gouache would cost, rather $ 55,000-60,000. It is about 7 times more expensive than 30 years ago. It is a bit expensive - "in its pure form", without all this story, such Guasi is cheaper. But at the expense of providence - this figure "Sotheby" specifically ordered a fabric and from it - the neck scarves for the guests of the historical auction - such a price is fully justified.
Comment: The constructivist "line" Rodchenko, which, according to New York Times, bought London Dealer David Juda (David Juda), became the most expensive trading picture - $ 564 300 in terms of pounds. Today, the work of this class would cost in the global auction market 5-6 times more expensive - about $ 3,000,000, and maybe more. The current auction record for Rodchenko is $ 4,500,000 - so much in 2016 gave for another constructivist composition.
The first Russian avant-garde on the July 1988 day was sold out. Nothing amazing. Typically, prices were 1.5-2 times higher than estimates. Since then, a number of things have repeatedly resell new owners. And judging at re-sales prices, the typical profitability of investments made 30 years ago was 17-20% per annum. This is a simple percentage, excluding inflation, but still good.
Contemporary art and the "second Russian avant-garde" (sixties) also broke up with a bang. But here, unlike the situation, Rodchenko, Stepanova or Ender, buyers needed much more knowledge and visible. There were no guarantees that all catalog artists will take high places in the history of art. So came out. According to the situation, 2018 it is obvious that for some works he was strongly overpaid, and some, on the contrary, were bought for little money. However, the purchase on the first-class auction gives an order of magnitude more calm collectors than emotional purchases from the market at their own fear and risk do not understand at what prices. Despite the external pressure, in general, the auction organizers - compilers of the catalog conducted high-quality selection, highly reducing the risks of buyers. Yes, the works that on the segment at 30 years have risen in price by 5-6 times (with the pace of the Russian avant-garde), among them are much less. And despite the separate successful examples, the empirical rule about higher risks of investment in contemporary art than in the one who has already passed the test of time, in general works.
Comment: The gigantic three-meter work, composed of 32 canvases, has become the most expensive lot of that auction in the strenga of modern art. The "Fundamental Lexikon" Grisha Bruskina success was practically secured: his photo decorated the cover of the auction catalog. But almost 17-fold prices of the price of $ 24,000 could not predict any nobody. The work is very spectacular and conceptual - about all our lives. She could be seen at the exhibition in Moscow. Assume its auction value today is a difficult task. In 2000, the "Cristis" comparable to the class four-meter canvas "Logistics I" was sold for $ 424,000. This is auction record, but for 18 years a lot of water has flowed. I think that today "fundamental lexicon" would cost at least twice as expensive - due to artistic quality, as well as provancing and its memorial significance. In total, 30 years ago at Sotheby's sold 6 paintings of Brussina (all that were exhibited by trading). On one of the things - lot 21 - you can make a more accurate price binding: that time it was sold for $ 26,334, and in 2017 the work of a comparable class from the same series went to Sotheby for $ 150,000. Growth of 5, 7 times in 30 years. Soon after Moscow "Sotheby" artist Grisha Brucin went to America. After some time, the influential Gallery "Malboro" concluded with him, which at that time was the number one on Francis Bacon and the other first names.
Comment: In memories of those events, it sounds: "imposed", "descended from above" and the like. The young generation of artists did not strongly complained Ilya Sergeevich. His works really look exotic among the works of yesterday's informal or semi-official artists. But the paintings on the auction were put on good, at least three of four. The most expensive of them became the 19-meter canvas "Ivan Grozny" 1974, published in one of the monographs about Glazunov. This is a rigid naturalistic historical narration, not at all for the house. But at the same time, this is absolute glazing, in its strongest pore, the most valuable period. The current auction record, close to $ 100,000, today belongs to another work of the same class - the Russian Ikarra 1973. But it is necessary to understand that it is the record, an exception. And usually glazunun oils are sold in the range of $ 10,000-25,000. Of course, taking into account the auction history and the size of "Ivan Grozny" would cost more than the usual thing. But not 10 times. Rather, the same $ 50,000-60,000 - maybe a little more expensive.
Comment: Pictures of the most expensive from now living Russian artists on historical "Sothesshe" left above estimates, but without an excitement. For example, the most important and valuable "responses of the experimental group" were sold roughly by half an estimate, but still for relatively modest $ 37 500. But time passed, and today Kabakov is considered one of the main, even just the main thing about the Russian artist Post-war unofficial art. Western art historians are written by monographs, films were removed, the artist is presented in leading museums of the world. It is surprising that among the auction top-5 in Kabakov, almost all works were performed on a figurative basis, including "Zhuk" Vyacheslav Kantor for 5.8 million dollars. Do not take collectors in our meetings of the table and texts. The nearest reference sale for the "responses of the experimental group" took place on Phillips two years ago: a three-meter table "Dogkin" concept for $ 660,000. Expensive. But "answers" for all articles is better and more significant "Dogkin". So the auction price for them can be today, rather, from $ 1,000,000 - 26 times more than 30 years ago. If so, then this item Kabakova has become one of the most profitable purchases of those trading.
Sothebyis is one of the oldest auction houses, which, together with Christis, takes 90% of the market for the sales of antiques and objects of art in the world. The basis in 1744 in London a bookseller Samuel Baker as a closed club for aristocrats.
For its more than 250 years of Sotheby's history, I pulled to perfection the art of auction, constantly upgrading this process. Modern innovations, such as broadcasting and receiving betting online, allow you to participate in auctions from anywhere in the world.
Historical facts show that auctions (from Lat. Auctio - sales from public auctions) existed in the 5th century BC. e. In ancient Babylon and in ancient Rome.
With the fall of the Roman Empire, the auctions were closed and appeared again only in the XIII century in France. The appearance of modern type auctions is associated with the Netherlands, where in 1599 the first book auction was held in Europe. The history of the Sotheby's auction house begins on March 11, 1744, when the Baker's Auction House opened. Sotheby's founder was Samuel Baker's book seller who spent his first auction in 1744 in London and published the first book directory with fixed prices. In 1754, Baker opened the permanent auction hall.
In 1778, the case passed to the nephew of Baker John Sotby, whose heirs were headed by a firm for more than 80 years. From this year, the company became referred to Sotheby's. During this period, the company expanded its activities, engaged in selling engravings, coins, medals and other antique products, but the main thing was still a book-selling.
In the XIX century Sotheby's has proven itself to the world's largest book rarity auction. Through his bidding passed the richest libraries, including those belonged to the bright historical personalities: the libraries of the Dukes of York and Buckingham, the Napoleon library, which he took to the island of Saint Helena, the collection of books of Charles Maurice de Talley, and many others. In 1909, Sotheby's owners became a member of the Parliament Montaghi Barlow, as well as entrepreneurs Felix Warre and Jeffrey Hobson. During this period, Sothebyis began to trade not only by books, but also paintings.
Expansion of priorities
After World War I, the new management "Sothebyis" took over the sale of objects of fine art, painting the old masters. Gradually, Sotheby's Bidding began to turn into large-scale cultural events, which was facilitated not only by the quality level of the premited lots, the elite list of customers, but also a place of auction.
In 1917, the company moved from Wellington Street to New Bond 34/35, to the very center of London. In this building there was once a workshop Monsieur Gustava Dore. At the entrance to the new residence of the company installed a black basalt figure of the Egyptian goddess Sekhmet (Goddess with a lioness head), which became a kind of emblem of the auction.
In 1936, the post of Director Sotheby's took Peter Wilson, with whom the brightest era in the history of the auction is connected. Aversion of your competitors, he used to appreciate the prospect of the foreign art market before others. Its achievement was the triumphal sales of the work of impressionists and modern artists. For the first time, it was possible to prevent customer attention to the art of the new time and turn the work of these masters into expensive lots.
It was then, in the second half of the 1940s, a significant increase in the profit of the company, determined by the stability of the post-war economy, was outlined. From 1946 until the end of the 50s, sales increased from 1.5 to 6 million pounds. The exit of the company for the international stage was the creation in 1955 of the Sotheby's Department in New York.
An important success and noticeable milestone in the history of Sotheby was to sell in 1958. The collection of the Impressionist Jacob Goldshmidt (a large German banker, in the 1930s emigrated to the United States). For the first time in London, paintings were sold sent by the seller from behind the ocean. Seven weeds were sold out only in 21 minutes. Revenue amounted to 781 thousand pounds of sterling - a record amount for the time for sales of painting. Trade of works by art has become a big business with its specificity and intriguing surprises, and the news of international auctions came to the first bands of world publications.
Conquering america
The irrepressible energy of Wilson contributed to the rapid international development "Sotheby". He created a large network of branches worldwide, expanding to this day. Branches in those years opened in Paris, Los Angeles, Zurich, Toronto, Melbourne, Munich, Edinburgh, Johannesburg, Houustne, Florence.
In New York Sothebyis acquired in 1964. The largest American antique company Park-Bernnet and after the successful merger of companies managed to spend several stunning sales included in the history of antique business and identifying a new level of painting prices. The development of business in the United States was associated not only with world ambitions, but also so that taxes for the sale of vintage canvases in this country are much lower than English.
However, in the early 80s. Sothebyis almost went bankrupt, and he himself became the object of absorption by Brooklyn manufacturers of carpet coatings, and in 1983 the controlling stake was bought by American Alfred Taubman, the owner of the international network of Supermoll Taubman Centers. Under his leadership in the 80s, the turnover of the company began to grow, and the trading regularly demonstrated a positive price dynamics.
In 1985-1986 Over 80 works of art were sold at a price more than one million dollars. There were no auction firm in the world. In 1987, Sothebis's profits amounted to 85% of last year, sales for the first time exceeded a billion dollars. Sales of the 1990 Greet Collection of Greet ($ 20.9 million), the landscape of John Consthebla "Plotina" (10.78 million pounds sterling) and the manuscript of the XIII century "Duke of Northumberland's Bestiary" (2.97 million pounds sterling) . Sales volume "Sotheby's" in 1990 was already $ 2.4 billion.
The economic crisis as a result of the war in the Persian Gulf significantly affected the global business, including the auction. Since the end of 1991, a decrease in the annual turnover "Sothebyis" began. The price level for the modern arts and the work of impressionists was especially shaken. Nevertheless, since 1993, the market stabilization has occurred. In 2000, Taubman left the post of Sotheby's head, he was replaced by William Ruprecht, who had previously held the position of director of the American branch. He is today the president and CEO Sothebyis.
Sotheby's headquarters are located in New York and in London. In early 2000 Both they expanded their squares. In addition to the house of New Bond Street, an office appeared in Kingston, a historic suburb of London. The main American office on York-Avenue was subjected to reconstruction and increased by six floors. A luxurious gallery was built, spent at $ 130 million and deserved in the press an assessment of one of the most significant exhibition halls of New York.
Russian mark
The bright milestone in the history of "Sotheby" was the creation of the Russian department. Commercial interest in Russian art in the Western market was intensified by the mid-70s. In 1974, Sothebis decided to the first auction of the art of Russia of the Dyagilev circle in New York, regular trading began from 1984
The peak of commercial interest in Russian art was 1989. His results turned out to be stunning. Things left, compared with the starting price, with a huge margin. The consequence of these auctions was the real boom into Russian avant-garde. Then sensational, tenfold, prices and paintings of the Russian realists of the XIX century and painters of the "world of art" rose.
The time of the flourishing of these bidding is associated with the names of brilliant connoisseurs of Russian art and experts "Sotheby's" - John Stewart and Ivan Samarin, as well as a specialist in the East European market of Peter Bathkin. It was they defined until 1996 the level and quality of Russian auctions. By the way, "Sothebyis" became the first international auction house, which spent the sale of a collection dedicated to the Ukrainian art of the 20th century. The most noticeable collection of 86 paintings, created by a group of artists of the Company of Independent Artists, or Odessa Parisians, as they are sometimes called.
The collection was collected by a yakov variable - the central figure in the world of Odessa art of the turn of the 20th century. At auction in New York in 2010, the collection was sold for almost $ 2 million and is currently in the world tour. Trade of old Russian art is considered a promising direction, but it does not go beyond 1% of the total turnover of the firm.
Canons "Sotheby's"
Sotheby's functions in the English type of trading. The English auction (or ascending) is based on the establishment of a minimum price for further trading, in the course of which the price is gradually increasing, and the thing goes to the one who has appointed the highest price.
The second type of auction - Dutch or downward begins with a very high price and is conducted with its gradual decrease. The thing or the goods goes to the one who managed to first "intercept" the declared price. Thanks to the Bidnow service, customers can follow all Sotheby's auctions and take part in real-time bidding on the Internet from anywhere in the globe. All Sotheby's auctions are free and open for everyone, while participating in the auction is not necessary - you can just be a viewer.
Most auctions are held during the daytime, some in the evening, and for their visits require a ticket. A week before the start of trading, the lot is exhibited in the halls of the auction house. They can be seen in the directory that appears about a month before the event. One of the defining factors of a successful auction is a preliminary assessment of the proposed works. In addition to fashion, the author's place in the history of art, genre, technology, the rarity and safety of the work on its price is influenced by the so-called provenance paintings (from the English Provenance - origin, source).
This is a kind of "biography" of works: the author, the date, in which collections was located, at what exhibitions were exhibited. An interesting provincial can significantly increase the price bar. To participate in the auction, those who want to make a purchase must register and get a token. If the client cannot attend himself during trading, he makes a purchase by phone or leaves a written application in advance, which indicates the maximum price it is ready to pay for a certain lot.
A lucky buyer should keep in mind that the price is in the auction hall (Hammer Price - the price after the hammer strike) is less than the real cost of purchase: it will be necessary to pay the auction commission, as well as various taxes adopted in the country in which trading take place. Commissions "Sotheby" for a long time were charged only from the seller, but now the auction services pay for the buyer. They make up 12-25%, depending on the auction price of the lot - what it is higher, the percentage is less.
Records Sotheby's
Since 1988, Sotheby's auctions open access to the results of their bidding. The fact that their activities have become a public domain, not only increased confidence in them from collectors around the world, but also allowed to make every bid by a grandiose event, where the most famous personalities from all countries of the world are invited.
This made it possible to influence the market conjuncture and dictate the trends in the world of art. After all, nothing does not indicate the value of work, as the amount that they paid for it. So, the most expensive picture was the work of Pablo Picasso "Boy with a Blue Tube" (1905) $ 104.2 million, sold in 2004, the most expensive sculpture was the "walking man" Alberto Dzhacometti (1961), sold in 2010 G. For $ 103.7 million. And the most expensive precious stone was the pink diamond of 24.78 carats "Pink Graph" sold in 2010 for $ 46.2 million.
In addition to price records, there is a huge number of unusual and exclusive lots sold. For example, the Space Capsule "East 3KA-2", which has passed from the hammer for $ 2.8 million. This auction took place in April 2011, on the day of the 50th anniversary of the first flight of a person in space. The "East" capsule is now being exhibited at the Russian Museum.
Another example - a sheet of paper with the written hand of Johnna Lennon with the words to the song "One Day from Life", sold in 2010 for $ 1.2 million. Becoming the largest player in the art market, auction house did not refuse its traditional business, trade Book rarities. The most expensive book was sold for $ 12.4 million. In 1983, this is the Gospel of Henry Lion, the monarch of the XII century from the Velf Dynasty, Duke Saxony and Bavaria.
Sotheby's XXI century
Currently, the auction house has a wide network of offices (90 branches in 40 countries around the world) and every year organizes 250 auctions in more than 70 directions (works of visual and decorative and applied arts, books, manuscripts, mistamps, ceramics, jewelry, Furniture, musical instruments, photos, watches, wine, etc.).
Sothebyis holds trading in ten halls: in London, New York, Paris, Milan, Geneva, Amsterdam, Zurich, Toronto, Hong Kong and Doha (Qatar). Every year more than 250 thousand lots are exhibited at auctions. Sothebyis not only conducts auctions, but also makes private transactions with antiques and museum collectors.
In addition, Sothebyis is evaluated by the property (the results of which are recognized by the tax authorities and insurance firms in the country of the Client), the sale of elite real estate worldwide, and also supports the activities of the Institute of Arts. The Sotheby's Art Institute teaches students in Europe, the USA and Hong Kong. There are future art historians, exhibition curators, art dealers - specialists in the pictorial and decorative art of the West and the East. The Institute also conducts advanced training courses for professionals.
Art and money for centuries were in the center of human attention. Genres and directions changed, but interest in the sacrament of the creation of great webs and their transience is invariably large. How is the cost of lot at auction formed? Who determines that the "sewing machine with umbrellas in the surrealistic landscape" Salvador Dali today is sold for 2 million euros, but "Cathedral Square. Milan "Modern artist Gerhard Richter leaves the hammer for 51 million? The best way to plunge into the world of big money and works of art is to go to auctions and get first-hand information.
Sotheby's Auction House (Sotheby's) is one of the oldest. From the moment of its foundation in London in 1744, the geography and the degree of influence of these trading on the global market changed significantly. Today, his headquarters is located in New York, and branches are scattered around the world, including Paris, Zurich and Toronto. The annual turnover of the house reaches several billion dollars. Sotheby's auctions are free and open for everyone, even if you do not participate in the auction. Most of the bidding are held during the daytime, but some begin in the evening, and then you need a ticket for visiting.
Usually auctions pass four times a year in London and in New York. A visit to such an event is special and incomparable experience. Here you can see the works of your favorite artists and sculptors who are not found in the museum collections or meetings of galleries. Surrounded by the best specialists from the world of trading, you are witnessing the mysteries of the purchase and sale of items from several dozen categories: from ancient art to paintings of modern artists.
Today Sotheby is recognized by professionals by the leader in the category "Contemporary Art", the main sales of items of which are held annually in May and November in New York and in February and June in London.
Christis
Another titanium in the world of auction case and the main competitor "Sotheby's" - "Christies" (Christie's), the main location of the deployment of which also managed to change from London to New York. The activity of both together is about 90% of the global market for the auction sales of antiques and art objects.
"Christis" carries out more than six hundred sales per year, that is, on average, two sales per day. Bidding takes place in 80 categories: visual and decorative art, jewelry, photos, furniture and interior items and much more. One of the most promising directions of development "Christies" is a permanent Russian department and prestigious "Russian trading" (Russian Sales).
The Russian department holds trading in April in New York and in November in London, once again establishing new and new sales records every time. The last bidding in London, for example, brought 16.9 million pounds. As well as "Sotheby", this auction house sets the minimum price at the auction, which gradually increases, and the lot goes to the buyer who has appointed the highest price.
Preduction exhibitions Sothebyis and Christis
To see works of art that will be sold at the two largest auctions for millions, you can, visiting the exhibition organized by auction houses before trading. To increase the number of visitors, they are arranged not only in the main premises of Christis (Rockefeller Plaza) and "Sotheby's" (York-Avenue), but also bring to the largest world capitals: Moscow, Tokyo, London and Paris. The highlight of such exhibitions is in the premises chosen by the organizers. It always combines the historical value for residents of a country and at the same time quite reliably and safe for the storage of expensive lots.
Bonhams
Following two leaders of sales of world cultural heritage sites, experts are usually called Bonhams Auction House (Bonhams). The third largest auction in the world conducts sales of 70 categories, including painting and machinery, musical instruments and interior items. Bonhams posted its branches in the USA, Australia, South Africa and Hong Kong. Such a wide geography of distribution allows this auction house per year more than 700 bidding worldwide. Auctions are carried out in different cities depending on the specifics of lots and the category that is exhibited for sale.
Dorotome
In German-speaking countries, leadership belongs to the Vienna Auction House "Dorotome" (Dorotheum). More than 300 years of existence make it the oldest of the main auctions of the world. The headquarters of this house did not move anywhere and is still located in Vienna. The only change in the globalization of the global art market is new offices in some Austrian cities, for example, in Salzburg, as well as in other points of Europe, for example, in Prague and Milan. Every year, the Dorotheum holds about 600 auctions, most of which are daily "auctions without a catalog" in the Dorotheum Palace in the Austrian capital. However, the most important part of sales is a series of four main trading in the framework of auction weeks. It is during them that the auctions of rare works of fine art are held - from the works of old masters to the style of modern and contemporary art.
Another feature of this house is its own jewelry store "Dorotheuma", which is today the largest in Austria.
In the Auction House "Sothebyis" began the autumn season. Photo Pavel Terekhova
In the auction house "Sotheby's" in the evening on Thursday there was an allchela - sold Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh and the Soviet founder of abstract art of Casimir Malevich. Among buyers were certainly billionaires from Russia and other post-Soviet countries. At auctions, where the works of old masters and the European painting of the 19th century sell works, they traditionally buy about a third of lots. In the hall - next to the ladies in the clothes from Kutuur and the gentlemen in the butterflies - there were simple mortals: they regularly enable the opportunity to admire the art before it falls in the collections of rich and famous.
For more than 250 years, the auction house "Sothebyis" in New York has been selling pictures of different eras and directions, jewelry, furniture, collector's wine and even cars. And the art market is not terrible or crisis, no sanction. Sothebyis only for the first six months earned three billion seven hundred million dollars, by 2016 the company is going to collect seven billion.
In the holy of holy arts
Rich customers here are made to meet from the threshold. Smiling sweecer will definitely say "Welcome to Sothebyis and will open the door. On the first floor of guests are already waiting for girls. "Please climb the second floor," - welcomes the long-leg lady in black. On the reception, the visitor receives a special number plate, which then raises at the right moment at the auction.
Bidding is held in a special hall on the seventh floor, but first - champagne. The waiters offered a "parcel", someone asked her drinks to pouch, but they were not. Secular conversations - a mandatory element of the event.
Some thoroughly discuss art news, others gossip about stars. "Yesterday Woody Alen came, saw?" - says a gray-haired man to his friend.
Stars really come to Sotheby's. Two years ago, Pop Diva Madonna here sold a picture of Fernana lesion "Three women behind a red table" for seven million dollars. And once bought only three. They say that instead of lying singer acquired something from the collection of old masters.
The international director of Russian art "Sotheby's" Joe Viji specially arrived in New York from London for Malevich. She introduces a "Forum" with auctioneer and leading evening of Henry Windham. "We will soon begin. Hurry up, "he invites.
The international director of Russian art "Sotheby's" Joe Viji for the sake of Malevich came to New York. Photo Pavel Terekhov
Van Gogh, Picasso, Malevich
All guests fitted in the hall. They were about 250, not counting those who participated in the trading online. The public came up with a variety: ladies in hats, elegant gentlemen in club jackets, and someone in everyday clothes. Most people are not rich art connoisseurs, but their agents. There are experts who mark the price of selling in the catalog, and even sevaaki - simple mortals are also allowed to admire the art.
For evening bidding to Sotheby's in New York, more than two hundred people came. Photo Pavel Terekhov
The leading Henry Windham resembled the conductor, that's just instead of a stick in his hands he had a hammer that he hit the department. As soon as Bariton Henry was heard, a coffin silence fell in the hall.
The initial cost of each lot was displayed on the electronic scoreboard, the art objects themselves appeared on the rotating carousel. Represented them impeccable people in black aprons and white gloves.Passion is glowed, prices are serious: five, ten, twelve million dollars. Henry Windham asks a glass of water and jokes: "Think well until I drink." One of the first evening intrigues: the painting "Mystical Suprematism" of the Soviet artist Casimir Malevich. Starting price for this black cross on red oval - $ 35 million. Literally through an instant, someone gives half a million more. The auctioneer is not impressed, pauses and says: "I will wait long." Total, given all taxes, acquired the canvas for 37.8 million dollars.
Sale of painting Kazimir Malevich "Mystical Suprematism". Photo Pavel Terekhova
More excitement called Vincent Van Gogh. Bidding lasted more than five minutes. The painting "Landscape under the rapid sky" went over 54 million dollars. The most expensive lot at the auction save by the end of trading. The presenter uttered Picasso, the Hall of Zashamel. Picture of the "singer cabaret" 19-year-old Picasso drew in Paris. On the canvas depicted a naked woman with dark hair. The usual people of the singer would seem not very attractive cabaret artist, she really liked buyers. For the lot began the real struggle, auctioneer repeated more than once: "You have the last chance." The new owner gave 67.5 million dollars for the "singer cabaret".
Russian mark
"The evening was a success," - summed up for the "Forum" Joe Viji in pure Russian. According to the expert, who learned the language from love to art, a large number of Russian buyers participated in these trading. "For us, it was not even a big surprise. We know about the economic and political situation in Russia, but the Russians are still big collectors and love to collect art, "added Viney.
After the auction, buyers quickly went home quickly at home. TOTAL, for these bidders they spent726 million dollars.
Many buyers do not come for auction themselves, but trade for works of art through representatives. Photo Pavel Terekhova
In Sothebyis, it is not customary to tell who bought and where the works of art will be. Buyers often become not only millionaires, but also museums, however, Russian buyers are particularly individuals, notes Vii.
That evening also sold the collection of the former chapter of the auction house -Alfred Taubman . His biography is worthy of the book. The billionaire made a state of real estate, but in 2001 he went to prison for a conspiracy with another auction house "Christies" and deception of customers. After ten months of conclusion, he resigned, and in April of this year he died after a long illness. A collection in which there is Albrecht Durer, Rafael, Pablo Picasso, Amadeo Modigliani and Jasper Jones, began to sell the heirs. Interest in her already showed buyers.
“ And I think that the Russians on this list will take the first places and will be interested in these works, "the general director of the Russian office" Sothebyis "Mikhail Kamensky is divided by its forecasts.
At the auction in the past, the Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov was noticed. In September 2007, he bought out the collection of Russian art of the famous musician Mstislav Rostropovich and his wife, the opera singer Galina Vishnevskaya. The collection of paintings, porcelain and silver products were going to sell for $ 30 million, but Usmanov paid twice as much, only for the collection returned to Russia. The billionaire presented it to the Konstantinovsky Palace of St. Petersburg. How often Alisher Usmanov participates in auctions - unknown. "Forum" contacted billionaire, but at the time of publication of the article we did not receive an answer.
Another Russian-language connoisseur of world masterpieces is a Kazakh businessman Nurlan Smagulov. This year, Smagulov acquired a bas-relief of the "Women with a parrot" of the French sculptor Fernan in "Sotbis". The price is definitely not known, but we are talking about a few million dollars. Many Russian buyers participate in the auctions through foreign companies, so as not to shine their name around the world, explains Kamensky.
“ Russian - obvious favorites among buyers. This is mainly private collectors who live between Russia and the West. We do not see any crisis today. Maybe the millionaires will not be traded so hard, "- comments on the representative of Sothebyis in Russia.
The Director General of the Russian Office "Sotheby's" Mikhail Kamensky is confident that, despite the crisis, Russian buyers will always participate in the auctions. Photos from a personal archive
Buyers and sevaaki: who comes to trading
Get to the bidding to "Sotheby's" may be free anyone who presentsidentification . On the company's website there iscalendar of events , Auctions pass several times a month. You can freely visit the morning or dining trading, in the evening the number of places is limited, and preference gives to customers. But there are cases when places remain, so everyone has a chance to get from everyone, you just need to call Sothebyis and ask about the availability of free tickets.
A resident of Brooklyn Oksana Ganzara for the third year in a row visits the Sotheby's Auction House. Photos from a personal archive
Oksana Ganzhar from Brooklyn makes so regularly. "Familiar is already joking, they say, you have become a millionaire," Oksana says with a smile. She loves art, especially the pictures of impressionists and modernists, as well as the collection of wines. "See how people are calmly spread by millions! Just cool in reality to look at these trading, "- shares Oksana's impressions. This year, a resident of New York has already visited Bidding and looked at several prejudice exhibitions. "You can come to" Sotheby's "just like in the museum, I already called my girlfriends here. And take pictures with the masterpiece of the same Picasso, is it still possible somewhere? " - Oksana rejoices.
But "Sotheby's" naturally bets, first of all, on rich buyers, to work with which there is a special department.
A few months before the start of the bid, his employees call their regular customers and send invitations. For some, they organize a visit, meeting at the airport, accommodation in the hotel and individual excursions.
Mandatory item of the Program - Presentation Parties for Favorites. Customers can see the lot in front of the trading and make sure that the choice is correct. "However, anyone can become a potential buyer at auction. You need to register on the site "Sotbis", "says Mikhail Kamensky.
Among the formalities - an extract frombank account . All information is available onin Russian . Requirements for the disposable amount vary.“ This, of course, depends on the fact that the client intends to acquire, "Mikhail Kamensky notes.
The auction house is confidentiality, the names are disclosed only at the request of the buyers themselves.
How the auction is arranged
Sotheby Off offers all kinds of assistance to sellers of art objects:before the auction spends several months to create a catalog, selection of photos and organization of exhibitions. At the request, the staff of the auction house can develop an advertising strategy and promote the collection, organize checks, storage and transitation.
The auction house loves its customers so much that the lot will buy himself if no one acquires the goods for the agreed price. Joe Vikey notes that for the convenience of customers, even in the "Sotheby's" building itself, everything is thought out to the smallest detail. "We have here a very good storage for lots. You see high doors. They were installed for huge paintings, "she shows. The building runs alarm, and any movement fix microscopic chambers. Guests do not notice them.
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As the head of "daughter" assured, the arrival of "Sothebyis" in Russia means "the place of meeting of art and money. And this place cannot be changed." I trumping a winged phrase, Russian art historian noted that over the past five years, the Russian art market has grown ten times.
Answering the question "RG", "Will will be the activities of" Sotheby "a kind of corridor on" sucking "artistic values \u200b\u200bfrom Russia to the West," Kamensky noticed that "an idea of \u200b\u200bthe corridor is false." According to him, the whole daily practice of "Sotheby" in the world market and its activities in 35 countries of the world testifies just about the opposite. First, "Sothebyis" will contribute to the return of capital to Russia, the best works of both Russian and world art. Secondly, it will help to establish a more transparent market in Russia. In accordance with its Ethical Code "Sothebyis" will promote the "estimation" of those "black" money, which today, as you know, go to the Russian antique market in large quantities.
"This market today is largely" black ", in many respects -" gray "and very little -" white ", said Kamensky. And" Sotheby "as a powerful structure has great opportunities to work only on a" white "basis. At the same time, the head of the Russian office He stressed that the presence of "Sotheby's" as a separate legal entity in the Russian market means an answer to the increased demands of the Russian audience.
The fact is that recently the purchasing power of Russian and foreign art lovers has grown significantly. And this is not connected with the fact that in Russia the middle class became richer, but, according to the expert, the rich became more richer and they became much more. Today several segments are allocated - super-rich, middle-risk and unobed. Actually, these three categories will be the basis for the work "Sotheby" in Russia. According to estimates, there are several thousand such people. This, of course, is not tens of thousands, such as in America. But from the point of view of finance - the "mighty hand".
Speaking about what will still be the activities of the Sotheby's office in Russia, his head clarified that the emphasis will be made to the informational services of potential customers. Employees of the office will keep Russians in the course of the last trends in the market of world auction art, to form a database of potential buyers. Representation plans are active cooperation with all private collectors, owners of private galleries, art dealers, representatives of state museums, Russian experts, appraisers and even bankers. Yes, in the plans of representation a great place will be paid to interaction with financial groups and banks. As Kamensky said, today there is practically in every large bank there are divisions on working with private clients who are waiting for banks of a wide variety of services, not excluding the purchase, lending to the masterpieces of Russian and world art and objects of antiquity.
The feature of the work of Sotheby's office in Russia does not imply today the auction directly in Russia. Since this does not contribute to neither tax nor customs legislation. However, being a legal entity, an independent company, Sotheby's office has the right to engage in various financial transactions in the antiques market, private sales. From this point of view, the economic interest of the state is obvious. As registered in Russia, Kopania, Sothebyis will pay taxes. True, to estimate the potential volumes of transactions in the Russian market, Mikhail Kamensky refused. According to him, the process will show. But the tendencies are such that with the arrival of "Sotheby" can change not only the Russian antique market, but also the format of Russian weeks abroad. Of course, for the better, that is, in the direction of increasing money profits. Answering questions, whether there is such a level at auctions as "Sotheby", the appearance of fakes and fakes, which the Russian market is particularly sinned today, Kamensky noted that the criminal world is initially present in the world artistic market, fabrics for fakes. But the task of a respectable auction house is to prevent their appearance at the auction. And with fakes "Sothebyis" professionally fights. There are no things that would fall on auction without the most difficult examinations. But if it still proves that this is a fake, the client receives 100 percent compensation.
As for the reception of visitors on personal matters, those who, for example, want to offer a subject from their private collection to "Sotheby's", then with such clients Sotheby's office in Russia will also work, noticed Kamensky. But at the same time stressed that in the form of consultation. Providing intermediary services for the removal of certain values \u200b\u200babroad, specialists do not intend. Consulting means that customers will provide maximum information about whether one or another item in the Western Auction will be listed and what documents are necessary in order to legally derive this subject. At the same time, Kamensky stressed that with the main state "permissive" organization on the removal of cultural values, Rosokhrankulture, the office "Sotheby" the best relationships. These are our colleagues, partners, friends, noticed Kamensky.
By the way, he did not rule out that soon the other Auction House of Christi will be tightened soon to the Russian market.
Help "RG"
In 2006, the auctions of Russian art "Sothebis" in London and New York collected more than 153 million dollars. Today it is the biggest amount from all world sales of Russian art. And the annual turnover of Russian art over the past six years has grown 20 times, from $ 7.46 million to 153 million, and since the beginning of 2007, the Russian weeks "Sothebyis" have already collected 56.1 million dollars.