Buy casually and cheaply Rubens

[sergey7]

Article of the day: Rubens marriageable
02.12.2010|11:14
The News, 02/12/2010

Scandal turned into loud story seven years ago around the masterpiece of Rubens' Tarquin and Lucretia. " As it turned out, the owner of the paintings Vladimir Logvinenko, whose rights to the painting in 2003, successfully defended by the Russian authorities for several years already taking active steps to selling it abroad. And this despite the fact that seven years ago he had firmly declared its intention to leave a masterpiece in Russia and put it in the Hermitage under indefinite exposure. Now Vladimir Logvinenko, suing with his business partner, who accuses him of reneging on commitments associated with both "Tarquins and Lucretia", and several other works of art.

Businessman Vladimir Logvinenko, became widely known in narrow circles of the persona in 2003.
Then burst into a huge international scandal surrounding the masterpiece of Rubens' Tarquin and Lucretia. " It turned out that for decades after the war, a priceless painting was kept in the family of Major Soviet army Boris Dorofeeva - first from him, and then his daughter. In 1999, a woman, unaware of the value of painting, sold it for $ 800. During a subsequent transaction price has risen - 28 thousand, 500 thousand dollars. In the hands of Logvinenko she got already over 3,5 million dollars. Do not think that the buyer overpaid. In fact independent experts this canvas in less than 60 million euros is not evaluated. Apparently, Logvinenko wanted to sell a masterpiece at once: he offered to buy the German authorities "Tarquin and Lucretia." But there was a misfire.

Effective tactics

The Adventures of "Tarquin and Lucretia" with her Russian master have been a topic of pervopolosnoy newspaper seven years ago. Then raised a layer of Russian-German problems associated with the return of cultural property - restitution. Germans on redemption pictures even talks did not lead. They announced Logvinenko of complicity in the acquisition of property obtained through crime, and criminal case. Then got not only the Russian collector, but his German lawyer Maurice Ramzayeru.

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Was initiated by the Director of the Museum of Sanssouci in Potsdam, Gerd Bartoshek. According to him, early last century painting was kept in a museum, but after the war was lost. So, was stolen.
The appearance of a criminal case for Logvinenko, of course, was a surprise. He almost became restricted to leave, because Germany was going to declare him wanted by Interpol. Assessing the risks, the businessman picked the most effective tactic at the moment. He announced that he is a bona fide purchaser and "surrendered" to the Russian authorities. In the sense that everything said in Rosokhrankultura and said he intends to defend the interests - not their own, and the country - to the finish. With the help of Russian authorities, of course. At the same time the statement was made on the German attempts to rewrite the outcome of World War II and deprive the people of the winner on the right was his masterpiece.

Tug of war lasted six years.
On the background of "Tarquin and Lucretia" particularly versed in domestic and international law, by remembering who and who that has taken out - starting with watercolors and ending with the Amber Room. From a businessman Logvinenko turned into a collector, a great friend of the Hermitage and other museums and galleries. "I do not sell paintings" - not tired he says. True, at the moment to sell the painting was problematic - "Tarquin and Lucretia" law enforcement authorities seized and locked in the vault of the Pushkin Museum. From sin. Until the investigation. Logvinenko, this did not resist, and even contributed to - understand, apparently, that because Rubens is in any tselee. "When it is resolved - say Logvinenko - I'll pass" Tarquin and Lucretia "in the Hermitage on permanent display."

As a result of this private, in general, the dispute between the Russian and German art collector museum surfaced at a meeting of President Vladimir Putin and Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.
In public comments, the head of state to restrict platitudes, but after the conversation, "the summit" a Russian Prosecutor General's Office acknowledged Logvinenko thus a bona fide purchaser. Yes, and the Germans retreated to their original positions, stopping the "Rubens" criminal cases. Vladimir Logvinenko relieved to wait for return of pictures and really gave it to the Hermitage. Apparently, sell it immediately in 2004, it seemed quite improper.

Can not be sold to leave

Money in Russia are trying to do at all.
Already in 2007, three years after the successful completion of a scandal when passions subsided, Vladimir Logvinenko, began to look for possible ways to implement hung on the balance of the property, and above all money. After all, sell the painting for 60 million euros - is not an old TV at the flea market push. In the court's records, found themselves in possession of "Izvestia", there is a whole list of things for which you have to pay a lot of money on the sale of a masterpiece such as "Tarquin and Lucretia." Art critical examination, obtaining a permit to export, transport, insurance, legal, consulting support all phases of the transaction, storage, bidding ...

Apparently, all this means, Vladimir Logvinenko was not there.
Or maybe it just did not want to spend their own. Whatever it was, in 2007 the owner of the painting comes out with a proposal for cooperation on the well-known businessman, former first vice-president of Rosneft, Anatoly Loktionova. This was, of course, not an offer impossible to refuse. But for Loktionova prospects looked very tempting. Logvinenko volunteered to get all the permits, arrange for examinations and other orgmeropriyaty. From Loktionova required only one - financing.

March 14, 2007 the parties conclude a Memorandum of Understanding and agree to establish a special fund of Art, which will be engaged in selling the painting.
In this case, Logvinenko obligated to transfer to the fund itself now, and Loktionov - 10 million euros. Two men hit on his hands. As proof of the seriousness of the Anatoly Loktionov immediately after the signing of the memorandum lists Logvinenko five million euros. This is an advance. Like, come on, my friend, run mechanism.

But after six months, but not a single gear mechanism does not move.
Worried about the fate of five million, Loktionov initiates new negotiations. Logvinenko proposes to replace Rubens another masterpiece - a painting by Titian "Venus and Adonis" - and agrees to sell it without fail. Apparently, the replacement of other scandalous paintings largely was due to difficulties associated with the sale of a masterpiece in Europe, rather than a desire to leave the treasure in Russia.

Loktionov agrees - what to do to save money is needed.
But the passes for two more years, and all it has to offer Logvinenko partner in November of 2009 - a promise to sell three Rubens paintings - "The Union of Earth and Water," "Adoration of the Shepherds" and "The Crucifixion". No choice. Loktionov took it for a refund, but only Logvinenko spread his hands: there is no money. But, they say, truly, do not worry if you please. March 1, 2010, the all rasprodam, then burst into tears. The parties sign a new protocol, but the spring of 2010 and paintings, and the money was in the same condition.

- Realizing that the actual money Logvinenko by that time no, my principal agreed to yet another concession - told Izvestia lawyer Loktionova Maxim Platonov - in March 2010, the parties entered into a new agreement.
Paid five million were converted into debt with deferred payment obligations. In addition, the parties have agreed yet to take joint action for the implementation of the paintings. But as a result was not, and no. Mr Loktionov started their own search for buyers - even consulted with the president of the Paris Biennale antiquarian Aaron Herve.

From Mr Logvinenko needed only one: to provide expert advice, certainly confirm the authenticity of the works, as well as permission for their removal.
But neither the one nor the other has not been done, and further negotiations with potential buyers turned out to be meaningless. The fact is that experts doubt that the three products are owned by the brush of Rubens himself, not his disciples. The specialists also point to a lot of discrepancies in the technique of writing. Have the experts doubt the authenticity and respect the canvases of Titian. The only solution that we had - to break the agreement. What we have done by demanding repayment and interest thereon.

Vladimir Logvinenko, though, and gave written consent to return the five million, but the proposed scheme, which seemed Loktionova too confusing and he did not want to communicate.
The question of payment of interest on funds Logvinenko chose not to notice.

Collector and a trough

Now a lawsuit Anatoly Loktionova to a former business partner is considered Lefortovo Court in Moscow.
According to lawyers, one's best bet for a hundred percent. So Vladimir Logvinenko likely have to fork out. But the question is, where he issued five million euros. According to one version, he bought them at other works - three paintings by Titian and Rubens, as mentioned above. Bought, in spite of their dubious authenticity and origin. Maybe he is so inspired combination with Tarquins and Lucretius that he is in any old canvas sees potential for profits? And now having difficulty expert to prove that the money was invested in truly worth the work. Yes, and "Tarquin and Lucretia" you can not sell. That accounts for the owner of multimillion-dollar masterpiece to answer in court for obligations to partners.

So the story Logvinenko and his masterpieces may ultimately prove to be a tale of unfulfilled hopes.
About unrealized business plan. Or the missed collector - a man in whom the businessman of the collector still won. After all, if Vladimir Logvinenko left "Tarquin and Lucretia" at rest (in the sense in the Hermitage), there would be no scandal, no debt. And now, as whatever the story, the ending - of a broken trough.

Alexander Izmailov