Back to the gallery of Russian art in New York filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit

[Konstantin]

lawsuit against ABA Gallery: extension

ARTinvestment.RU - 04.08.2011, 13:45

A month ago, talked about ARTinvestment.RU lawsuit against a New York gallery A.V.A., a Luxembourg company accused Arthur Properties for sale paintings at inflated prices and counterfeit products ("Identity and the price of Russian paintings will determine the expertise of the judiciary ....")

Earlier this week, ABA Gallery's press release, which we offer our readers about the spelling in the source: we decided to just add in brackets missing (no doubt) the word and fix typos, punctuation source maintained.

Gallery A.B.A. filed in court a motion to dismiss the claim, containing unsubstantiated allegations

NEW YORK August 1, 2011. Based in New York City gallery ABA, the largest gallery specializing in Russian art of the 19th and 20th and 21 centuries, today filed a petition in court to terminate consideration of all claims against the ABA Gallery Anatolia and its owner Bekkermanu contained in a lawsuit filed by Arthur Properties SA the Federal Court for the Southern District of New York. Claim not associated with the purchase of Olexandr Savchuk in the gallery at the end of 2006 and in 2007, 18 paintings by famous Russian artists totaling 9.58 million U.S. dollars. Arthur Properties are named in a lawsuit by the plaintiff, represented by Mr Savchuk - the real buyer of paintings.

The request to dismiss the case based on a number of legal defects in the claim, including a lack of standing are at Arthur Properties SA, the fact that the charge of "over-pricing" is not provided by U.S. law, and failure to Arthur Properties of his claim in a timely manner. The petition notes that the inability to speak with Arthur Properties legally sound argument reflects the deeper issues on their merits. With respect to these problems ABA Gallery states the following:
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[Ukraine]

Bekkerman lads, tear it to shreds negligent buyer more and moral damage will now look!

[Мира]

The world-renowned expert on Russian art has given expert opinion on the authenticity of " On the edge of a birch grove ."

I would like to know the name of world-renowned expert, I just need this .
In general , one can see that the text he wrote a former Soviet citizen , a western necessarily be called a name.

[sergey7]

Boris Kuznetsov, a famous Russian lawyer, now living in the U.S. were forced to
The lawsuit against the New York gallery Bekkerman Anatolia. The facts and arguments.
August 5, 2011, Author: Boris Kuznetsov

 
Gallery owner ABA Gallery Anatoly Bekkerman. Photo from archive of Bekkerman. © RUNYweb.com

Recently, the Russian media I came across a publication of the claim of some of the Luxembourg Arthur Properties, which filed a lawsuit in a court of the Southern District of New York for more than $ 9.6 million to the gallery ABA Gallery in Manhattan, specializing in Russian art. Lawyer Arthur Properties claims that the company was misled when buying 18 works of Russian art XIX-XX centuries: the price of 14 paintings by the plaintiff, has been greatly exaggerated, but four of the canvas were a hoax.

The purchaser, according to some newspapers, is a Ukrainian millionaire and MP from the Party of Regions, Alexander Savchuk.

I found interesting this publication for several reasons: the owner of the ABA Gallery Anatoly Bekkerman familiar to me, a few years ago, before the exile, I was at his gallery and saw a huge (about 3x2 meters) oil on canvas by Ivan Aivazovsky, "Seascape with Peter the Great" referred to as sold at an inflated price for the $ 4 million

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Interestingly, this work has been represented on the postcards late XIX - early XX century under the name "Storm". Nikolay Levchenko from Theodosia, who has the most complete catalog of works by this artist, reported that in vivo biographer, Ivan Aivazovsky - NN Kuzmin, a monograph in 1901, this work is mentioned under the name "Peter the Great in the Finnish archipelago, feeding the signal their ships. " Paint a picture in the years 1899-1900 and was exhibited at the beginning of March 1900 at the house of Count Olsufyeva. There is a photograph, which depicts the artist at work on this product.

In comparison with other works by Aivazovsky, a rare painting. It shows a real historical event with the character of Russian history are crucial in the history of Russia. Many years ago, when I started work at the Leningrad criminal investigation and the disclosure involved theft of art treasures, I do not just have to deal with fake paintings. All the years I was interested in methods of recognition, "falshaka" by technical means.

The question of selling paintings at an inflated price looks weird. Thus, the petition states that the said Aivazovsky overvalued by about 80 percent. The question arises: "Why do some 80 per cent rather than 81.5 percent?" Since the Roman law known principles of contractual freedom and autonomy rights. This means that a person has the right to decide whether or not to enter into contractual relations, and also has the right to broad discretion in determining the terms of the contract, its form, method of achieving it.

One of the main conditions of the contract of sale is the price. In other words, you want to buy Aivazovsky at a price that the seller offers, buy. You do not want to buy - free.

While the plaintiff does not motivate the thesis of inflating prices, but one of the sites I found a message that at the same time (2007) was sold by Aivazovsky painting is three times smaller, without a historical subject, at a price of over $ 5.4 million

What matters is the fact that we know the story of how the painting came to the United States. In the 40 years high, this work was purchased by an American diplomat and exported to the U.S., being the major work of Aivazovsky on U.S. soil. Even in 1994, when the demand for Russian art has been minimal, this picture could be worth more than $ 1 million

In 2007-2008, prices for works by Russian artists were highest, interest in them is great, but an investment perspective. From this perspective, adoption of Representatives Arthur Properties, the real price of linen is $ 800 thousand, it seems ludicrous.

But back to the forgeries. According to representatives of the plaintiffs, Ivan Shishkin's painting "In the forest," for which they paid $ 1 million, turned out to be fake. On the pages of Ukrainian newspaper "Segodnya.ua" for July 15, 2011, is a fake picture of the image with the caption:

"In the forest," Shishkin. Forgery of the work he bought for $ 1 million Savchuk. "



Whether the buyer is something mixed up, or whether the journalists were wrong, but that this pattern may Savchuk, neither of Arthur Properties not sold, and sold another picture.


           Ivan Shishkin, "On the edge of a birch grove." An example of the "Album of Russian painting"

This photo was taken from me, "Album of Russian art," which was published during the life of the artist.

I have seen and the conclusion of experts who studied the painting Shishkin, and representatives of Alexander Savchuk enter into the lawsuit. In conclusion, the experts have no categorical statement that the painting is a forgery.

After Anatoly Bekkerman found and bought the fabric, it has been identified by leading experts as a lost masterpiece Shishkin. The world-renowned expert on Russian art has given expert opinion on the authenticity of "On the edge of a birch grove." He also confirmed the authenticity of the other work referred to in the lawsuit - "The Roman family on vacation," Semiradsky, which is also considered re-open masterpiece.

As for the latter two works whose authenticity is questioned, then own expert acknowledged Mr. Savchuk picture Bakalovicha "Friends of supper," the script, and he came to the conclusion that "Magnolia" Goncharova - fake. His, however, disturbed that he could not find a signature Goncharova, but a clear and legible signature of the artist visible on closer examination in the lower right corner of the picture.

Of course, this process will cause, and is harmful to the owner of ABA Gallery Anatolia Bekkermanu - one of the leading experts in the world of Russian art, which for over thirty years, is known for recognizing and determining the value of rare and important works of Russian artists. In addition to the placement of numerous works of Russian art in major private collections and museums in Europe and the USA, he helps leading museums of Russia to replenish their collections, finding and identifying them for historically significant works of art. Otherwise they would have been lost forever.

Bekkerman also collaborates with several Western and Asian museums in promoting, finding sponsors and organizing major exhibitions of art and artists of Russia. Even if he wins the lawsuit, to restore the reputation will take time and do not hide the fact that money.

For me, and not just for me, opened Bekkerman artist David Burliuk. Exhibition of paintings by the artist from the collection of ABA Gallery in Moscow made a shock culturalism. Prices rose leaf Burliuk orders.

In Moscow, as were exhibitions by artists Boris Grigoriev, Konstantin Korovin and Natalia Goncharova. These exhibitions are also cultural events.

Now I have a folder on the table picture Bekkerman, published in the winter of 2010, which not only well-known names: Aivazovsky, Makovsky, Korovin, Somov, Sudeikin and many others, but, more importantly, each of these works the museum level. Next to a photograph of each of the paintings have the price at which similar paintings by the same authors evaluated on auctions worldwide. For the reader, and the buyer is a landmark of world market prices, as well as evidence of the transparency of the gallery Bekkerman.

What I am unpleasantly surprised, because it is published in Russian newspapers of America. Here are a few names. The newspaper "Kurier" for July 22, 2011: "Ukrainian MP" divorced "ten million"; "Davidzon newspaper" for July 13, 2011: "Fake Aivazovsky."

To be fair, the journalist Vladimir Kozlovsky, not only recounted the contents of the claim, but also interviewed other persons, for example, one of the owners of Gallery of Russian Art in Jersey City, Margot Grant, which confirmed the reputation Bekkerman. And the author who gave the title of this publication seems to be the edition «Davidzon newspaper" because of no false Aivazovsky no claim, nor in the article are not talking.

Do not rule out that after the verdict in the trial nyuyorkskogo Southern District, there will be a few lawsuits to defend his honor, dignity and business reputation and Anatoly Bekkerman ABA Gallery.

As for Alexander Savchuk, who, no doubt, initiated this lawsuit, and then by the biggest scandal unfolded in the Russian artistic medium, I think in the history of the last time, in his place I would have thanked Anatoly Bekkermanu for creating a collection of masterpieces Russian painting of the late XIX and XX century. And as counselors can recommend him to pick up the consultants simply clever fellow.

[Ukraine]

Moral of the story . You should not have to deal with is not " mature " clients such as MPs and so that changes its position as a weathervane. As practice shows, the name of a reputable client have yet to earn ! ? We all know cases where the picture played enough or heard any nonsense from either friends, acquaintances, as if his client is substituted begins to run and try to get her back coming up with tales of X-ray and UV etc. and etc. . And we all know the saying , better to lose with a clever ........

[Кирилл Сызранский]

Yes, it ...

Alexander Savchuk even this sorry once was.
>

[SAH]

Сообщение от Cyril Syzran ; 1737063"

This is even feel sorry for Alexander Savchuk once was .

 The man from the ranks of the Komsomol functionaries ..... >

Сообщение от Ukraine; 1737053"

You should not have to deal with is not "mature " clients such as MPs , etc. which alter its position as a weathervane.

Unfortunately it is in this population have the material possibilities .

[Ukraine]

Сообщение от Cyril Syzran

Yeah, so ...
Alexander Savchuk even this sorry once was . >

And what a pity ! From the yard butted by 10 million ? And it is not butted , and bought a decent work of famous artists. Imagine this when you walk in the park , wanted ice cream , open your wallet and buy. Ate and forgot! Here scandal fanned !

Added after 5 minutes
I'm ashamed to say this idea has crept . Just look at the plaintiff and the defendant are not fools, and the claim is absolutely ridiculous . From this story is not bad PR can go . Bekkerman defend themselves in court, once again raise its image and confirm it , and the buyer will announce himself as a lover and potential buyers of expensive items . The buyer and the Ukrainian media is not a frequent visitor , and here ..... Or maybe he has an American project on the nose IPO or sale of assets or investments . Or some or interests. Believe me, in life and. It happens.

[artcol]

Сообщение от Ukraine

And what a pity ! From the yard butted by 10 million ? And it is not butted , and bought a decent work of famous artists. Imagine this when you walk in the park , wanted ice cream , open your wallet and buy. Ate and forgot! Here scandal fanned !

[color="#666 686 " ]Added after 5 minutes[/color]
I'm ashamed to say this idea has crept . Just look at the plaintiff and the defendant are not fools, and the claim is absolutely ridiculous . From this story is not bad PR can go . Bekkerman defend themselves in court, once again raise its image and confirm it , and the buyer will announce himself as a lover and potential buyers of expensive items . The buyer and the Ukrainian media is not a frequent visitor , and here ..... Or maybe he has an American project on the nose IPO or sale of assets or investments . Or some or interests. Believe me, in life and. It happens .

Such a clever way to get rid of jobs? It's a noisy business - effectively and provenance, and promotion.

[Кирилл Сызранский]

Сообщение от Ukraine; 1737323"

And what a pity ! From the yard butted by 10 million ?
Imagine this when you walk in the park , wanted ice cream , open your wallet and buy. Ate and forgot !

Well, if you repeat to yourself "from the yard butted by 10 million," then everything is OK . >
And the name is probably now become familiar to , you see, and really is a scandal to something amiss . >
In the words of one famous blues :
You may be rich child.
You may be poor.
But, when the Lord gets ready,
you gotta move. ( c) >