Russian Art has been no secret but next week’s sales in London may just be the event that brings the market into focus
Sotheby’s, Christie’s and Bonham’s are holding sales of Russian art and Works of Art next week in London. Bloomberg predicts a defining sale:
“Next week’s auctions will see strong results for top lots,” said Bekkerman, owner of New York-based ABA Gallery. “There’s a perception that Russian art is too high priced, but keep an eye on Goncharova, Larionov, Yakovlev, and Aivazovsky.”
“The Russian market is still in its infancy,” said Bekkerman, 54. “Over the past 15 years few financial instruments performed as well as Russian art. A top work by American Impressionist Sargent can go for $40 million, so why shouldn’t a top work of Russian Impressionism sell just as well?”
He says Moscow banking billionaire and art collector, Petr Aven, is a man “with a great eye.” Ukrainian steel magnate and art collector Viktor Pinchuk is “a man with a vision.” Aven and Pinchuk have some of the finest collections of Russian avant-garde art in private hands. Bekkerman wouldn’t confirm whether he works with these men.
Is this finally the moment for Russian art to take the baton from Chinese Contemporary? With a deeper Western tradition of art, this market could have much greater depth.
Russian Art Auctions Set for Record Week as Prices Seen Surging (Bloomberg)
