Continuing the theme, investment in art, history of collecting ....( EA)
Galust GYULBEKYAN - the very first Armenian billionaire ...
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In 1912 the British government with dismay found at the scene of a new "player". It was "The Turkish Petroleum Company. Armenian millionaire Galust Gulbenkian within the direction of all activities "of the Turkish Petroleum Company. He owned 30 percent of the shares of the Turkish National Bank, which gave him a 15 percent stake in Turkish Petroleum Company.
Galust Gulbenkian was the son of a wealthy Armenian oil magnate and banker who made his fortune in the import of kerosene from Russia to the Ottoman Empire. As a reward for this effort the Sultan appointed him manager of the port on the Black Sea. In fact, the family lived in Constantinople, there Galust and made his first financial transaction: the age of seven he was given a Turkish silver coin, the boy brought it to market - not to buy toffees, as one might expect, to be exchanged for an old coin. Later, he collected one of the world's largest collections of gold coins and a special pleasure gained a magnificent collection of Greek gold coins and JP Morgan.
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He went to school the second stage in Marseille. There he was to perfect the French language. Then he studied mining engineering at Imperial College in London and they wrote a thesis of the new technology of the oil industry. Gulbenkian graduated in 1887 at age 19 with a degree of engineer first class. Professor King's College, invited talented young Armenian students go to France and to complete the course in physics there, but his father rejected the idea, deeming it "academic nonsense. Instead, he sent Galust in Baku. There, young man "sick" oil industry, which faces the first time. Once it has sent oil fountain that he found even enjoyable - oil was "a great and thick." However, after leaving Baku, he never visited the "country of oil."
In 1889, the Gulbenkian published in a leading French magazine series of articles on Russian oil, are highly appreciated. In 1891, he combined them into an ambitious book. At age 21, Gulbenkian was considered world-class experts in matters of oil.
Around this time, two officials of the Turkish sultan asked him to explore the oil resources of Mesopotamia. He did not go there - as usual - but prepared a competent report, based on materials collected and provided by others. In his view, the region has vast oil potential. His words convinced the official Turkish people. It took "engagement" Galust Gulbenkian with oil of Mesopotamia, and "marriage" this was life long. Mesopotamian oil demand from the Gulbenkian extraordinary sacrifices for more than sixty years.
He was incredulous. "I never met anyone as suspicious - said Sir Kenneth Clark, art critic and director of the National Gallery in London, who helped in his later Gyulbenkyanu matters related to collecting. - I never saw anyone reached such extremes. He always had a staff of spies. " Gulbenkian made two or three experts evaluate the work of art before you buy it. It seems that over the years Gulbenkian surpassed in distrust of his grandfather who lived to 106 years to the end of life contains two groups of doctors to be able to check one by another.
Perhaps this suspicion was a necessary survival mechanism for the Armenians, who in the last years of the Ottoman Empire, constantly surrounded by both great opportunities and harassment. In 1896, during one sanctioned by the authorities of the Armenian massacre Gulbenkian fled by boat to Egypt. There he became the indispensable man at once for two powerful Armenians - oil millionaire from Baku and Nubar Pasha, helps manage Egypt. These connections have opened doors for him both oil and financial businesses and allowed to become a sales representative of the Baku oil in London. In London, Gulbenkian met with his brothers Samuel and Henry Deterding.
One of the first deal offered to them were Persian concessions, inherited in the end D'Arcy. In 1907, he persuaded Samuel to open office in Istanbul and headed it. Anti-Armenian sentiment at that time in decline. With many commercial interests, Gulbenkian was a consultant at the same time the Turkish government and its embassies in Paris and London, as well as a shareholder of the Turkish National Bank. With this support, he managed to reconcile the competing interests of Britain and Germany, as well as the Royal Datch /Shell, a structure called the "Turkish oil company. This task required the greatest delicacy, and in no case "was not among the nice."
Since 1912, when the Turkish oil company was born, the British Government has made every effort to get it together with the Anglo-Persian syndicate D'Arcy. In the end, the Government of Great Britain and Germany agreed on a strategy of association and forced its implementation. In accordance with the Agreement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs "on 19 March 1914 in the joint interests of the British team dominated. Anglo-Persian group had a 50 percent stake in the new consortium, while Deutsche Bank and Shell had a 25 per cent. But there was still Gulbenkian. Under the agreement, Anglo-Persian group and Shell gave him a 2.5 per cent of total assets as the "interest of the beneficiary." This meant that he had no voting rights, but could use all the financial benefits of this separation of assets. So was born the nickname "Mr. Five per cent.
From 1942 he lived in Portugal. He brought more than 3000 exhibits, organized fund im.Galusta Gulbenkian. He died in 1955 and so specify came to Portugal at the age of 73 from England. Why Portugal? But I must say the grateful descendants (Portuguese) rewarded him. Around (in almost all cities of Portugal) are named streets in honor of his name even in places where I live. The Foundation is known for his talents and helped in every way, even more ... "Galust Gulbenkian was a man who all his life trying to make each type of activity are a work of art." Galust Sarkis Gulbenkian, who was born in a family of Armenian merchant in a small Turkish town of Scutari near Constantinople (since 24 March 1930 officially became Istanbul), continued its "university" in France and England. After graduating (with honors!) Engineer at Imperial College (Kings College), University of London, Galust Gulbenkian in 1922 published a book on the history of the development and exploitation of oil resources in the Middle East. The publication was seen by the Turkish government, to offer cooperation young researcher in the development of oil deposits of the Ottoman Empire. As subsequent events showed, the connection is Middle Eastern oil fields, located on the territory of modern Iraq and Saudi Arabia, with many talents Galust Gulbenkian helped not only the Turkish government to replenish its coffers, but also made the Gulbenkian one of the richest men of his time. It will be interesting to note that the Gulbenkian did not feel any broker or trader. An artist at heart, he remained to them in their business life. As he himself once had defined themselves in negotiations with a U.S. partner, calling it "oil trader": "I do not oil trader, young man! I consider myself a business architect.
Unlike many other major collectors of the twentieth century, began to collect works of art after they have "collected" the first million dollars, Galust Gulbenkian was a collector since childhood. He made his first major purchase in the bazaar of Constantinople at the age of fourteen and spent on it is 50 piastres - a fortune for the student, his father rewarded for their success in school. My father did not approve such an investment. Himself Galust his choice was satisfied. And bought old coins began one of the most brilliant collections, in which the most remarkable are the numismatic and sections of the medal. "Collection Gulbenkian today: is the undisputed world's most important collection of Greek coins" - says a renowned expert. Over time the collection has replenished oriental rugs XVII-XIX centuries, Iranian and European illuminated manuscripts XII-XVI centuries, the pottery of the East, the sculpture of Egypt, Ancient Greece and Rome, painting, sculpture and decorative arts of Western Europe from the XI to the early XX century. And in each of these categories collector Gulbenkian acquired, as he liked to say, works only first-class. Reflecting this approach, a collector for collecting was the name of the exhibition of masterpieces from the Museum of Gulbenkian Foundation in New York's Metropolitan Museum in 1999-2000, «Only the Best» («Only the best"). Despite the fact that Galust Gulbenkian in 1902, took British citizenship in 1927 he lived in his palace in Paris, on the Prospectus Yen (avenue Iena, 51). Here was posted the most significant part of his growing collection, previously kept in the galleries of various antique dealers in London and Paris. It was at this time in the West are beginning to spread rumors that the Soviet government intends to sell works of art from Russian museums, including the Hermitage. It was the finest hour collector Galust Gulbenkian, is already exerting services Bolshevik government, promoting, in particular, sales in the western market of Baku oil. For it was he was the first who has access to the Hermitage collection, beating, and A. Hammer, and professional dealers, whose links with Russia were established before the revolution, and other collectors. Last but not least, has played his high professional ethics (the other is called the secrecy in business dealings). Enough to read his memorandum addressed to GL Piatakov, with which it is bound more closely, we can say, trust, relationships, than with other representatives of Soviet power. It provides, in part:.
"I have always adhered to the thesis that the objects that are in your museums for years, should not be sold, as they not only represent a national treasure, but is also an extensive educational foundation and at the same time of great national pride, and if to information about their sale penetrated the public, then this would prejudice the credit of your government ".
However, in spite of advice Galust Gulbenkian, nor the protests of the staff of the Hermitage, the Soviet government began to sell the Hermitage collection. And as noted above, the first buyer became Galust Gulbenkian, who was sold works of art valued at about 3,7 million rubles. Products which are currently decoration and pride of the Museum of Galust Gulbenkian in Lisbon, located in its permanent exhibit, which I was able to see for myself during a visit to this museum in March 2004.
Purchase History Galustov Gyulbenkyanom fairly well covered both in domestic and foreign publications. Therefore, only recall that it was sold from the Hermitage Galust Gyulbenkyanu in 1929-1930, respectively. Among the 28 works of art set Gyulbenkyanu the Hermitage collection were 24 items of French silver, and executed the largest French masters of the XVIII century on the orders of Russian Empresses Elizabeth and Catherine II; three pictures (two - Hubert Robert, they depict scenes of cleaning up the gardens of Versailles affected by the hurricane, the third picture - it is "Annunciation" Flemish artist D. Bouts), table-secretary of Louis XVI furniture maker of the famous Parisian Rizenera. The Soviet government received from this first sale of the Hermitage, including packaging and transportation costs from Leningrad to Berlin, 54 150 pounds sterling. As pointed out in his book Jose de Azeredo Perdigao, a contract of sale, it was stated that the silver and painting Boats come from the Hermitage collection. At the subsequent sale of such item on the "origin" is no longer contained.
A few months later, in March 1930, the Hermitage collections declined by a further 16 works of art: 15 silverware, as well as 54-year old masterpiece by Peter Paul Rubens - a full-length portrait of his 17-year-old wife Helen Fourmen. Of the total 155 000 FS had 100 000 for silver and 55 000 - Rubens.
The subject of the third purchase, the perfect Galustov Gyulbenkyanom in mid-1930, by five paintings (two of Rembrandt, Watteau, and Terborch Lancret) and one sculpture, a masterpiece of French neoclassicism - carved in marble, "Diane" Jean-Antoine Houdon. All had been paid 140 000 FS, of which 120 000 - for paintings and 20,000 - for sculpture. However, in accordance with a prior agreement Gulbenkian yielded four pictures of famous Parisian antique dealer Nathan Vildenshtaynu per 100 250 FS, leaving himself only by Rembrandt (Pallas Athena, or Alexander the Great ") and a marble" Diana "Houdon, which cost him a £ 39 750 . with.
In October 1930 Galust Gulbenkian made its latest purchase - but what? - "Portrait of an old man" by Rembrandt, which Andrei Ivanovich Somov, "the largest art historian, who raised the art studies in the Hermitage at the level of Western science", which from 1885 to 1909 he was chief curator of painting galleries of the Hermitage, called one of the best paintings. For this picture link in the contract for the origin was unnecessary: it was reproduced in the catalog of the Hermitage, published in 1923. It cost Gyulbenkyanu 30 000 FS Thus, in April 1929, when it completed the purchase of the first batch of works from the collections of the Hermitage, and until October 1930 when it was completed last deal, that is one and a half years, 51 of the former Imperial Hermitage masterpiece ever left Russia and came back to where it was created - in Europe. More specifically, in the Palace Museum Galust Gulbenkian on Avenue Yen in Paris. As noted above, four paintings were sold Gyulbenkyanom Vildenshtaynu. 47 remaining products have cost the Armenian collector and the head of Iraq Petroleum Company in the 278 900 FS and to this day are the adornment of European section of the Museum Galust Gulbenkian.
Shopping Gulbenkian opened the way to the Hermitage American collector E. Mellon, the former at that time, U.S. Treasury Secretary. In 1931 he acquired through his 21 antique dealers canvas for 1,400,000 FS, which is almost five times more than was paid Galustov Gyulbenkyanom. And in the first and second case, both the collector, using the combination of circumstances made a bargain, which had no parallel in the past. A pioneer study of the world market of antiques Gerald Reitlinger commenting on the purchase of E. Mellon, wrote in 1960: "If the Russian government sold a collection of today, there is no private buyer could not buy it." In 1970 the equivalent of the amount paid Galustov Gyulbenkyanom 40 years ago, would be equal to 1,394,500 FS, and E. Mellon - 7,000,000 FS
In 1965, "Titus" Rembrandt was sold at auction Christie's for 798,000 FS, in 1990 prices amounted to 13,950,000 dollars Accordingly, the equivalent of 278 900 FS (1930) in 1990 would amount to 25-26 million, which would suffice for the third part of "The Portrait of Doctor Gachet" Van Gogh sold in the same year for a record price for that time of 82,5 Ten million years later, in 2000, at auction Christie's in London, "Portrait of a Lady" Rembrandt was sold for 28,7 million dollars, which is only slightly greater than the amount paid Gyulbenkyanom for the whole of the Hermitage collection, which , we recall, were two wonderful Rembrandt.
By the beginning of the 30th annual meeting Galust Gulbenkian mainly formed, and the collector is increasingly thought about how to gather under one roof and make available to the general public to what he has devoted his entire life - Collection. In 1930 - 50 years. parts of it for a long time exhibited in the British Museum in London (works of art of the Ancient World and Middle East), the National Gallery in London and later at the National Gallery in Washington (the masterpieces of European painting). From the directors of the last two museums - K. Clark and J. Worker - Galust Gulbenkian since 1934 and over the next twenty years, he negotiated the transfer of their collections in these museums. The first ten years of negotiations were conducted with the London museum. The last decade - from Washington. But neither the first nor the second case, the parties in different circumstances to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution could not.
Умер Галуст Гюльбенкян 20 июля 1955 года в Лиссабоне, где он проживал с апреля 1942-го, выбрав своей резиденцией отель «Aviz». Рассказывают, что за несколько лет до кончины, Галуст Гюльбенкян выразил желание построить музей в Ереване и построить дорогу от Еревана до Эчмиадзина, а также создать фонд содействия Армении., но договориться с Москвой не удалось. В оставленном завещании коллекционер распорядился о создании в португальской столице Фонда, носящего его имя.
"То, как на протяжении своей жизни Галуст Гюльбенкян использовал свое состояние, и то, как он им распорядился в своем завещании, демонстрирует его понимание социальной функции богатства и соответствующие ей обязательства», — напишут в Португалии в 1975 году об армянине от рождения, английском подданном по паспорту, гражданине мира по образу жизни, знатоке искусства практически во всех его проявлениях и коллекционере по призванию в связи с 20-летием со дня его смерти.
Одной из первоочередных задач Фонда было собрать по всему миру — от Парижа до Вашингтона многочисленные коллекции Галуста Гюльбенкяна, находившиеся на хранении в различных музеях, у антикваров, в принадлежавших ему домах. На это ушло пять лет. Еще пять лет ушло на приведение коллекции в порядок. С 1965-го по 1969 год часть коллекции была выставлена во дворце Помбаль в Ойерас, пригороде Лиссабона. В октябре 1969-го состоялось открытие Музея Галуста Гюльбенкяна в Лиссабоне, где «под одной крышей», как об этом мечтал коллекционер, были собраны наконец более 6 000 произведений искусства, тысяча из которых находятся в постоянной экспозиции, разбитой на два основных раздела: первый включает восточное и классическое искусство, второй — европейское искусство. Экспозиция является отражением дихотомии самой личности коллекционера, рожденного на стыке европейской и восточной цивилизаций. Временная дистанция, которую покрывает собрание музея, измеряется пятью тысячелетиями — от египетских древностей до изделий ювелира и дизайнера рубежа XIX-ХХ веков Рене Лалика.
Галуст Гюльбенкян был бы доволен своим музеем. По сравнению, например, с судьбой коллекций американских собирателей Фрика и Барнеса у Музея Галуста Гюльбенкяна есть несомненные преимущества. В отличие от музея Фрика, построенного как особняк, в котором размещена коллекция, собрание Гюльбенкяна размещено в здании, задуманном и возведенном португальскими архитекторами Р. Атугиа, П. Сидом и А. Пессоа по последнему слову музейной науки и техники, где все сделано для того, чтобы наилучшим образом представить как коллекцию в целом, так и ее отдельные составляющие части. В отличие от коллекции А. Барнеса, современника Гюльбенкяна (наследие доктора Барнеса на протяжении последних лет находится в центре юридических, финансовых и административных баталий, исход и последствия которых для целостности коллекции в данный момент трудно предсказать), Музей Гюльбенкяна управляется Советом попечителей в полном соответствии с последней волей коллекционера, выраженной в его завещании. Свою роль в этом сыграло и то, что во главе Совета попечителей Фонда с самого начала и на протяжении многих лет стоял личный юрист Гюльбенкяна Хосе де Азередо Пердигао, автор не раз цитировавшейся выше книги о Гюльбенкяне-коллекционере. Будучи финансовым гением, «архитектор бизнеса» Галуст Гюльбенкян оставил Фонду 2,6 миллиарда долларов и годовой бюджет в 102 миллиона долларов, создав последний шедевр своей жизни — Fudacao Calouste Gulbenkian, составной частью которого является музей. Он расположен наряду с Центром современного искусства, административным зданием Фонда, концертным залом и открытым театром на берегу небольшого озера в живописном парке. Ансамбль, как корона, венчает столицу Португалии. К Лиссабону обращены «взоры» бронзовой скульптуры основателя музея, фоном которой служит каменное изваяние египетского бога света и солнца Гора, представленного в виде сокола В любимой собирателем Древней Греции этого бога отождествляли с Аполлоном, покровителем искусств. Преданным служителем этого культа и был, пожалуй, всю свою жизнь Галуст Гюльбенкян.
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13.10.2009 Премьер Армении высоко оценил вклад фонда "Галуст Гюльбенкян” в дело сохранения армянства
/PanARMENIAN.Net/Премьер-министр Армении Тигран Саркисян принял делегацию фонда "Галуст Гюльбенкян” во главе с директором фонда, главой армянских общин Ирландии и Великобритании, правнуком благотворителя Мартина Есаяна.
Подчеркнув важность деятельности благотворительного фонда "Галуст Гюльбенкян” в деле сохранении армянства и арменоведения, Тигран Саркисян отметил: "Между созданным при сотрудничестве общественного и частного секторов Советом национальной конкурентоспособности и фондом "Галуст Гюльбенкян” необходимо создать возможности для развития сотрудничества, в частности, в сфере реализации образовательных программ”.
"Этот визит придаст новый стимул развитию двухстороннего сотрудничества и деятельности фонда "Галуст Гюльбенкян”, направленной на сохранение армянства”,- выразил надежду премьер-министр Армении Тигран Саркисян.
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Arpi Vardanyan Karlenovna
Armenia, Erevan.Rodilas June 12, 1984 in Yerevan.
In 2007 graduated from Yerevan State Academy of Fine Arts.
Lives and works in Yerevan http://paint.artonline.ru/artist_gallery/arpivard-----------------------------------------------
I do not know whether you can change the name of the post?
At one time Samvel posted information about Arpi, but under the name Bekaryan and not Vardanyan
(Ara Bekaryan Arpi's granddaughter and daughter Seda Bekaryan)
Very interesting and also challenging personality, and an artist with a very peculiar view of the world.
Grigor Aghasyan was born April 13, 1926 in Yerevan. Talent in the seven-year old boy was among the first notice an outstanding artist Vahram Gayfedzhyan, and on the recommendation Saryan young Aghasyan entered the State Art School. P. Terlemezian, from which he graduated in 1944.
In 1950 he graduated from the Moscow Art Institute. Surikov (workshop Gerasimov).
Since 1951, consisted of the Union of Artists of Arm. SSR.
In 1961 he received the title of Honored Artist Arm. SSR.
He has held senior positions in the Union of Artists of the ASSR in 1956, an active faculty activities in 1960
His works are in museums in Armenia, Russia and Kazakhstan, also in private collections in Armenia, Russia, France, USA, Canada, China, Greece, Lebanon, England.
I really liked the work of the artist, the talented and good, however, as the artist himself, on which all the people I never met, both speak of the incredibly kind, humble and a talented man.
Unfortunately, no time to get acquainted with the creativity of the artist during his lifetime, in November will be the year as he was gone.
Daughter of the Artist, Tigranuhi Aghasyan, kindly provided the opportunity to visit his father's workshop and make a photo essay specifically for our forum (for which her many thanks!).
Добавлено через 2 минуты
The daughter of artist told me that his father did not like to complain about health and burden others with problems, especially in recent days when he could not move independently. Aghasyan could not live without work and his studio (which is across the house). The daughter and granddaughter shortly before his death brought out the studio easel, paints, brushes and other materials, which he woke up and was so happy that I forgot about everything and began to work tirelessly ...
Последний раз редактировалось luka77; 11.08.2010 в 01:24.
Причина: Добавлено сообщение
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The daughter of artist told me that his father did not like to complain about health and burden others with problems, especially in recent days when he could not move independently. Aghasyan could not live without work and his studio (which is across the house). The daughter and granddaughter shortly before his death brought out the studio easel, paints, brushes and other materials, which he woke up and was so happy that I forgot about everything and began to work tirelessly ...
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I really liked the work of the artist, talented and kind, however, as the artist himself, on which all the people I never met, speak as an incredibly kind, humble and talented man.
Agasi, I agree with you, the true Master, talent ..
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Many people ask questions that collect? Where to find interesting work? .. Here is the perfect example that we should necessarily buy .. (EA)
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The artist was born and lived in the town of Vedi (Armenia). He received his artistic education at the State Academy of Fine Arts of Armenia, was in the Union of Artists. The first and last exhibition in 2006 in the walls of the said Academy.
Malkhasyan Gemam life drawing charcoal on paper, pencils and crayons. Almost all works are a family of artists.
Very little is known about the artist, information on the Internet there.
Friends, it is interesting to hear your opinion about the artist's works.
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bought something in the collection? Price level what?
Eugene, work of the artist saw only a family's collection (in the market, unfortunately, I do not know what the situation), is preparing an exhibition for the 85 anniversary of the artist in the next year should go a directory up to that time, I think, it is difficult to say anything about the prices ...
While not bought anything from his work, but always plan to replenish the collection. A lot of interesting graphics, small study with landscapes (in the Impressionist and socialist-realist style), as well as a few works in an unusual manner of his surreal.
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10.08.2010, 20:03
Galust Gulbenkian collector ...
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