Investing in art: the profit for the patient

[nikola]

Victoria Zavjalova
Investing in art: the profit for the patient

Earn on objects of art more complicated than simply putting money in the bank and wait until nabegut interest. However, the contemporary art market and antiques often offer investors greater returns than deposits or shares.

No antique dealer does not invest in art as active as players of the stock market, executives say galleries and auction houses. And over the past year and a half individuals began to acquire eternal values much more frequently than banks and large companies. Many well-known today, investors are starting from scratch: consulted with experts, attended art salons and fairs, defining the style in which they interested in investing. Among the people who invest in antiques and modern art, is the former financial analysts, traders and even mathematics. They appreciated the benefits of this business, which allows not only earn, but also constantly surrounded by beauty. So, on what objects of art can make good money in Russia and how to operate a beginning investor?

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Old - so reliable.
Antiques is one of the most profitable investment: the market is sufficiently developed, the basic rules of the game on it identified. In addition, the buyer has confidence: Acquired thing does not go down that could easily happen with the subject of modern art. Antiquities and paintings by old masters are suitable for long-term investments. According to an international directory of art Hislops 2003 Price Guide, for the period from 1997 to 2002 the cost of some products increased by 700%.
Of course, hardly on the famous Moscow auctions you can buy for next to nothing now brush Aivazovsky: most of the works of famous artists are already in collections. Even if sometimes masterpieces appear on the market, there are lots of money: for example, the starting price of paintings by Nicholas Roerich on auction Gelos "is more than $ 30 thousand The experts often can not guarantee the authenticity of the work. Therefore, novice investors will probably need to do something less valuable. For example, antique bank shares.
Individuals most often acquire antiquities, when other tools do not give investment already high income. It was at this time, according to antique dealers, people like to invest in what they can touch hands.

The buyer went wrong.
How to find owners of antique dealers and galleries, has recently become much more literate not only sellers, but buyers: they are not at risk of acquiring things, the authenticity of which is not confirmed. The only way to avoid fakes - carefully check the documents for goods and services of a consultant. Antique collector's level is always sold with a certificate - an expert opinion of specialists. Besides, all the shops, antique galleries and auction houses have their own consultants. Most experts - former or current museum employees. Typically, they specialize in a specific direction - painting, metal products, etc.
President of the auction house "Gelos" Oleg Stetsura warns that inexperienced people on the art market could suffer serious losses: "This is a more sophisticated tool of investment than others. Without own consultant, I would not advise a novice to enter the market. Experts can be found in large commercial structures specializing in the sale of art. In the role of the consultant can make dealers, who have extensive experience working with things and deal with certain objects - porcelain, silver. Oleg Stetsura Council draws attention to the wording of expert advice: for example, if the product "is attributed to Shishkin," it will cost twice cheaper than the picture, the authenticity of which nearly proved. An investor who is not afraid to take risks, can have a decent earning for such subtleties.

My neighbor - Van Gogh!
Modern art is worth less than the antiques. However, experts say, the price increases quickly. For example, since early 2002, the cost of paintings by Vladimir Dubosarsky and Alexander Vinogradov grew exactly twice, after one of their works became Cultural Center Pompidou in Paris. But a novice can easily get lost in the world of contemporary art. What style preferred? What to invest money - in the photographs, graphics, pictures abstract artists or sculpture from waste products? The easiest way to ask for expert help. Among the most famous art galleries specializing in contemporary art, - XL, "Regina", Fine Art, "Aidan Gallery", "Krokin" and some others.
Layman it seems that the pricing mechanism on the art market is not clearly defined. However, according to Fine Art Gallery curator Irina Filatova, the cost of the works of contemporary artists is set to completely clear criteria: "The price pattern does not affect its quality, and biography of the artist: It is important, where he held exhibitions in which the galleries are stored work. For example, participation in the Venice Biennale - the same as a nomination for an Oscar. And if the artist's paintings are well-known museums of modern art, you are not wasting money, - says Irina Filatova. - The more the "record" the master, the higher the cost of painting " .
In any case, experts do not recommend to go to the streets in search of brilliant artists. "From the middle of the XIX century, the beginning of the history of Impressionism, unknown geniuses there. All of them have long found the picture" - sure Irina Filatova. Indeed, active not only art salons, which are constantly looking for talent, but also artists: they offer their work. Of course, while modern paintings are not so easy to sell, such as painting Aivazovsky. But, as experts believe, Russian works of the XIX century can not be compared with European art of the same period, and prices are inflated. Therefore, over time, investments in modern paintings will be more profitable than investments in painting a century ago.

What to buy, who to sell?
Recently, the price was a modern picture, now became fashionable figurative painting. Despite the fact that Russia is considered the birthplace of abstract art, private individuals are buying mostly decorative art. The photo of becoming lovers, investing in well-known names such as Boris Mikhailov. In addition to biographies of the price of the product determines the level of the artist: his way of thinking should be developed in the context of global trends.
In order to earn money for contemporary art, not necessarily wait until the purchase price increase: the London art collector Russia will pay for the painting more than in Moscow. But it is worth remembering that in every country are valued above all, their own artists, and wealthy lover must still be found.
Nevertheless, according to senior researcher of the art department of the Vladimir-Suzdal Museum Tatyana Merkulova, foreign tourists are happy to buy in the salons of fine art works of talented regional artists and craftsmen. In addition, there are exchange programs. Artists from Russia's provinces go to France, Germany and Holland, writing scenes which leave abroad as payment for accommodation.
However, a collector Igor Markin believes that contemporary art can not be at a serious tool for investment in Russia: "The money for this it is impossible to earn. A good example - Incombank, which is now being sold off cheaply at auction. I am collecting pictures for my own pleasure, understanding, that while they are illiquid: all I can sell only at a loss for themselves. invest in art profitable in the West: there is low interest rates on deposits.
Almost stock market. How can an investor to act on the art market? According to the president of the auction house "Gelos" Oleg Stetsura, the less capital - the greater the risks. If funds allow, is to invest in antiques and paintings by famous artists of the past. High level of reliability differ Savrasov, Malevich, Kandinsky, products Faberge. There are also opportunities for those who do not have such funds. They should pay attention to the rapidly developing areas. There is an old story picture - for example, photos of Nicholas II and his family, fighting in the civil or the Great Patriotic War. Rapidly rising costs in the art of the Stalinist academics, lacquer miniatures, made before 1945, a clock with a floating body, made for ships. Worth to buy several items at once: if a few of the 10 items fall in price, the sale will override the other losses.
The extent of Russia's rapidly developing market investment in art, they say even the results of Russian sales at auction Sotheby's. In May this year at the auctions in London, paintings, letters and photographs from the personal collection of Fyodor Chaliapin were sold for a record sum - 2 million pounds sterling. The most expensive was a work of Boris Kustodiev "Beauty": it got more than 945 thousand pounds. According to media reports, have actively participated in the bidding dealers from Russia. So, most likely, many items Chaliapin now are in private Russian collections.
Western investors, certainly easier than domestic: he, for example, have codes of return of art. In Russia must focus primarily on auctions. For example, if the bidding went up the value of items made of silver, you can easily buy them in the cabin at a lower price and immediately resell. Besides a good investor should know to whom to offer the thing: in order to earn its interest, need to find a collector who is interested in precisely this direction. And on average, according to market players in the art can make a profit of 20-30%per annum. Of course, the professional investors - the higher its earnings. The only thing experts do not advise to do so is to invest in the product that you do not like. Indeed, not everyone can tolerate in his house hated now only for the sake of profit expectations.