Log on Wednesday ... Paintings, artists, collectors

[Евгений]

How many in the country of collectors of works of art, the statistics are unknown.

Experts say that people who have tried or are trying to engage in collecting, not too little. But serious collectors (who are worthwhile collections) can be counted on the fingers. In most cases, the collection is a set of unequal things. And often happens that people just "stuffed" expensive homes affordable modern kitsch .. And this is hardly a collection.

Читать дальше... 

Do not rush or succumb to the herd instinct - say, this thing is my boss, then, and I need to buy analogichnuyu.Buduschy collector "must first clearly define what he needs. To acquire works of art at random - it is still that play roulette. (This is especially true of modern painting).
Do not rush to spend money, you need: "a long look around: walk through the galleries, museums, gather as much information on the Internet where works by both Western and Soviet artists, the prices of these works, the results of the auction. And while you look around, be sure to get to know gallery owners, art dealers, art historians, collectors (of the Internet to virtually unlimited), which will help to understand "what is real art, and that - kitsch.
In other words, you need to enter the artistic groups (albeit in a virtual) and become "their". The only way to learn and understand the infrastructure of the art market, explore its secrets. Find out who to be consulted, and who circumvent the tenth expensive. What are the prices of works of art, where they acquire and etc.

sales as an indicator of the value ...

When the work is evaluated in terms of its value, taking into account many factors, a process of evaluating a work of art requires thorough research, but one of the most relevant indicators - the reputation of the artist, a list of auctions and sales history, or a list of sales. Western experts on the evaluation of works of art find a list of the most important component of the sales portfolio of the artist or artistic work, in addition to the list of exhibitions and reputation of the artist. In general, the list of sales is a crucial point, if you decide to purchase artwork by a particular author as an investment. In addition, you should gather all available information about the artist, and evaluate it together with a list of its sales. If the artist is exhibited and sold well, then there are chances that the trend of demand will continue. The best way to assess the value of works of art - to get a certified professional assessment of the appropriate authority, but to the fact that Russia has a distant relationship.

  market and its pitfalls

It defies Syndrome regional market, but will not put them in confusion. This is a case where the dealer takes the unknown and often not very good artist, and offers it only within a limited area of the country, region or stylistic terms. More often, though not to say that always, the work of the artist will be sold only within the region or stylistic terms. Rare collector gets a good price for such work when the time comes to sell the product. Well, if you buy a job simply because she likes you, and you do not intend to resell. But in this case should bear in mind some of the pitfalls.

Do not confuse the interest of the seller to the sincerity of talent, but feel the difference between artistic and fairs. One of the most important aspects of the art market and collecting art - this is your own assessment of the value of work. The main value lies in the pleasure of your artwork. and for experienced collectors and beginners is a good collector is work that like. Preferably at the same time still get good advice that is to say an authoritative expert. The good news is art that you know and that you feel. However, make sure that you deal with your questions and inquiries in a good art consultant who will actually help you in case of difficulties with the assessment liked the art work.

[Евгений]

They say collecting - more disease than passion. Mikhail Krasnov, President of the group of companies Verysell, it started long ago - three years ago, before, he said, "neither money nor time." While interest in art came from him long ago - a student, he even seriously thought MSU and throw away in Stroganov School: took lessons in drawing, preparing for exams ...

Against the background of many corporate and private collections Krasnov not think his collection of "serious", but for three years he managed to collect more than fifty very decent collection of works. Interim coverage - nearly two centuries: there are Russian painters of the XIX century, the avant-garde early XX century, the sixties, but the choice of names rather limited.

Читать дальше... 

To increase the size of the collection, he does not seek, the last year working to improve its "quality". The collection is constantly updated - something previously bought or sold is changing, acquired a new, more interesting from the standpoint of the owner. "Appetite" of this collector is limitless - as far, however, can afford.

"This kind of hunting, the hunt for the rarities, and each time an adventure, just do not get, - says Mikhail Krasnov

The gems of his collection Krasnov says now Larionov ( "the dream of every collector") and a portrait Reichel Argunova hand, which he bought as an unknown portrait of an unknown author, but it turned out - quite an outstanding thing!

Russian painting remained in the country is not so much - war, revolution, socialism is not contributing to the preservation of artistic heritage. How many precious treasures were sold during the Soviet period abroad, often at bargain prices ... "I well remember the time when the avant-garde works were hung in all the antique shops and cost as a few bottles of brandy. True, the money then he had to have ..." - he recalls.

Over the past year and a half the price of Russian art increased so that the opportunity to buy good paintings for it becomes increasingly problematic. The fact is that in the West Russian art for many years underestimated. Now, finally being recognized and appreciated, not only have to buy Russian, no matter where they lived, but also serious western galleries and collectors, and as a result of the price of the auctioneer is about twice higher than in Moscow. How to take the red, he was lucky that he began to gather a collection of three years ago.

Big trouble Russia antiques market - the abundance of fakes. Because of the bends in our history "pedigree" is very difficult to trace the painting - where it was when and who bought it, etc. But any serious examination, because a domestic museums and galleries are not for their expert advice, no responsibility. For this reason, many major western galleries and foundations and refuse to buy Russian paintings, especially the avant-garde. According to Krasnov, he has repeatedly brought the picture with the expert opinion of Russia's leading galleries, and he, not being an expert, just saw: a fake.

Through a lot of time abroad, Michael knows the "place" where you can buy something interesting. Unfortunately, not everyone bought it can bring to Russia - it loses its meaning because of the stupid policies of our glorious customs, which, instead encourage the return of cultural property, is trying to impose a prohibitive tax collectors: that the clothes from China, that the work of art - pay 30%. Therefore, a number of works from his collection in Switzerland.

All the money that can distract from, so to speak, living expenses, go to the collection. "Often they say: collecting paintings - this is not an expenditure, and investment. But no collector will never sell his collection, will die of starvation, but not sell. Therefore, if this investment is already in children ", - he said.

In his home gallery a lot of empty seats, because its owner, always a pleasure gives his paintings at the exhibition - for the collector is very nice, also increases the value of the paintings, although it is very troublesome. For example, now in the Hermitage demonstrated portrait Reichel, Chief of the Imperial Mint at the beginning of the XIX century: it seems that this portrait of Argunova - the only surviving.

Krasnov, can afford no more than one picture in two or three months, so we have to choose. Sometimes a few dozen proposals. The most interesting thing here - guess: here, this work is a rare and promising, but not necessarily in terms of money.

"It is very important to the emotional attitude to the picture. If the work I do not like, I had never been to buy, whose signature would be there was not - he says. - Probably, there are investors who simply invest in art, but art collectors so never received. I am very pleased to see their pictures on the walls, but not in the closet or in vault. Collectors live in a very long time, because that passion brings a lot of positive emotions - every day you can communicate with the pictures, they delight the eye, recharge ... "
-------------------------------------------------- ----------------
"... This is a picture Khrutsky, he is considered the founder of Russian still life. I bought it in Germany, very good job, but not fully restored ...
... Portrait by Hope Lermontov, grandniece of the great poet ... talented artist of the Silver Age, died quite young ...
... Here Mashkov, period, "Jack of Diamonds", I was able to return the painting, though with great adventures, from one of the former Soviet republics ...
... And this "village" Boris Grigoriev, one of the brightest artists of avant-garde ... ... Boris Musatov, the ideologist flow "Blue Rose" ...
... Alexandra Exter, the costumes for "Romeo and Juliet", bought at auction in France ... ... This is Falk, late 20-ies ... All of his legacy is now in France ...
... Early work Larionov, which was displayed at one of the exhibitions "World of Art" in 1906, I was able to buy it in New York ...
... And this Somov, also bought in France ... it is true, the picture rather commercial, but find this very hard to Luba ...
... Levitan ...
... Kustodiyev, "Sellers cakes" - they were on the cover of the catalog Sothby's ...
... And here Rokotov, a very famous Russian portrait painter. While this "portrait of an unknown, but the person I am now install, then you want some historical research ..."
-------------------------------------------------- ------
Mikhail Krasnov was born April 29, 1952 President of the group of companies Verysell. After graduating from MSU he worked 14 years at the Institute of USA and Canada, USSR, Ph.D. in Economics.

[Евгений]

One of the best collectors of Russia, Mikhail Efremovich Perchenko talks about collecting. (From interview)
-------------------------------------------------- -----------
Michael Efremovich, what principles you adhere to collecting?

- My personal collection is a very simple principle: I collect things all West European countries XV, XVI and XVII of the first half-century paintings and decorative arts: furniture, lighting fixtures, small items - ivory, silver, tin ... buy only things in the original performance : never buy a painting, where more than five percent of the restoration. Maximum - seven to ten percent, if the author - the greatest master.

Читать дальше... 

- Is it true that the interior of your home completely decorated in the style of the Renaissance?

- Yes, my house - the only one in Moscow, where every detail according to the rules of the Renaissance interior. Is that the kitchen - modern.

- Whether to live comfortably in such an interior?

- It is because we take all these things. Stored in cabinets ordinary household items - clothes, dishes, linens. For outerwear, there dressing room. I think the use of antiques has on them only a positive influence. I have a Florentine table, since XVI century. Because we are taking guests spilled on him wine and brandy, he only becomes more noble. You can cover the wooden surface of the wax - this is very well keep them safe from minor injuries.

- The main quality of this collector?

- "Relentless", ie the ability to reject "weak" things, no matter how attractive it may seem, in favor of more "severe". I never understood people who are sorry to part with things. Although I know the feeling, and especially - my wife: she gets used to things. I have twenty to twenty-five paintings, which I know for sure: they "hang" with me forever, because they can not be "better" - to find something else for the same price or the same quality. From the furniture I possess fifteen items of a similar level.

- Is this enough to create the interior?

- Look at what these objects. Is it possible to put in a room more than four of these cabinets? And yet - two Casson. Table, chairs. Even the big room "stand up" a maximum of eight to ten subjects.

- You said that you do not buy things in Russia ...

- Today, many began to be collected as soon as the "extra" one million dollars: go to the most expensive shop, becoming the most expensive umbrella Pares ... But it is not interesting: the professional (and collecting - a serious profession) will never pay for something as much as for her request . For example, I do not buy restorative items. And if buying - assemble such a collection of masterpieces!

In the world there are about a hundred experts who understand the Western European art, and I get things from them. So, I'm already familiar with three generations of a Western family, selling works of art from 1724. Their specialty - the old works of art in three countries: Flanders, Holland, Germany. These people do not do so, what is dealt with worse, although they can be found, for example, and Italian art. Or Moretti Italian family, where I knew my grandfather, father and son. Their profile - Italian Renaissance and medieval art.

- In your opinion, Western auctions - for collectors, amateurs?

- The world's biggest auctions are for professional dealers. Imagine: in the hall Sotheby's sitting three hundred professional art dealers. You will buy the thing, if known: either the author - not one or restoration - more than 10%. After all, for items up to 1887 Sotheby's «liable to the extent of their competence, that is, in fact - in contrast to the owner of private galleries - no responsibility. Last time, visiting Maastricht, I was very disappointed: there are many people selling substandard goods. The year before, for example, brought in $ 11 billion of works of art, and among them was not less than 30 questionable. This year, I see - trying to sell Russian: two Shishkin was - both from my point of view, false. There was also a fake Peruzhdini - "Portrait of a boy. And the prices there ... for example, the Venetian cabinet beginning of XVIII century - 600 thousand euros. A beautiful piece of furniture - but not enough to pay him that kind of money. Or the same Casson: I buy them for 20 thousand euros, and the Maastricht simplest Casson was worth 200 thousand.

- When purchasing works of art do you trust ...

- Myself and two other people. Besides me, of Western European art seriously in the country is not engaged in none.

A professional experts only two: SADC in Moscow and another man in St. Petersburg. I would not ask any attribution, if it does not require non-professional buyers gallery. People want guarantees, in fact - many of them insure things, and for the insurance needs assessment. It is usually determined in accordance with similar sales, focusing on auktsionnik or the Internet. Although for me the sale or evaluation of works of art on the Internet is totally unacceptable. Two ladies, for example, wanted to buy the same cup or plate - and it grows in value to one hundred thousand pounds. Terrible folly! In my opinion, the Internet harms sales of art. And personally, I would have never bought a piece of art to photos - I must see him "alive".

- It's no secret that Russia's government is preparing two laws designed to control the antiques market. In the near future art experts will be required to undergo gosattestatsiyu, in addition, is preparing a document that sets rules for trade in the shops and auctions ...

- In my opinion, the State has set itself an impossible task. Last year in the world on the official market sell works of art on the one hundred and fifty billion dollars - is ten billion more than they receive from the arms trade! And to control this edifice is unlikely anyone under force. In the West it has long understood. Legislation governing the antiques market in part, is available in two countries - Italy and France. Italy, for example, prohibits the export of works of art - due to the fact that its territory is 90%of these, the old art of world importance. In France there is a law that protects those who sell their collections - a unique document that do not allow old ladies to cheat: if you are buying lower a price more than doubled, the law allows you to judge. Two exceptions to the rules - the whole world.

Of course, public museums have the right to purchase at auction any item called for by the seller price - and with this "right of first night" No one argues, on auction no one raises their hands when traded museums. However, at a recent Sotheby's auction this rule ignored: broke the price that gave the Louvre, the Metropolitan Museum, 2 times. As a result, the Louvre has spent 2 million euros to buy the sculpture of Messerschmidt XVIII century - a work, in my opinion, has no relationship to art. Question of the experts is not easy. Do the experts who decided to go gosattestatsiyu will be forced to withdraw from the museums? In Moscow, for example, attribution of Western European art deals with the head of foreign department of the Pushkin Museum Vadim Sadkov. And now he will have to choose: to remain or become a member of the museum of private experts.

- And if the law still will?

- In fact, it already had. However ... you know, in Russia "restricted to leave" remains only antiques. And personally I have seen in the country of the work that later proved to be at Sotheby's. Hence, there is contraband, and she encouraged - and this, rather than allow free circulation of art. Well, that now no longer take the toll from imported products. But again, if a work of art "goes" is not with you (for example, to carry my boxes with me physically impossible!) - You have to take 18%of value added tax - despite the fact that the thing purchased for yourself or even located the property a few years.

- What is your prediction ...

- Trade antiques state more "driven underground". As a result, as in Soviet times, all more or less valuable works of art will be sold "from the back room."

- And what it threatens private collectors?

- You know, destroy the private collecting was unable to Stalin, "underground" collectors were under Khrushchev and Brezhnev. Now they have not diminished, although the number of known collections - no assembly, namely the collection (a collection - it is strictly selected in accordance with a specific topic things of the highest standard and quality) - declined, in my opinion, nearly doubled. In addition, older collectors die, and about once every 25 years, collections are re-forming. So far we have once existed. It is unlikely that collectors and connoisseurs will be less.

ANNA MIROSHNICHENKO
Source: Journal Antik.Info "
--------------------------------------------------