Art Market Monitor

Global Coverage ~ Unique Analysis

  • AMMpro
  • AMM Fantasy Collecting Game
  • Podcast
  • Contact Us

The Accusations Against Yves Bouvier and His Accuser

March 2, 2015 by Marion Maneker

Yves-Bouvier_3212688b

Some details of the Yves Bouvier case are coming out. Bouvier’s lawyers issued a statement on Friday putting the case in the context of venue shopping over the valuation of his art collection for the purposes of his record-breaking divorce settlement. In other words, Bouvier’s lawyers are saying that Rybolovlev is hoping Monaco can give him relief from the valuation of his art collection (and therefore how much cash he needs to raise to pay his wife) by claiming fraud:

Sous couvert de trusts chypriotes ou de sociétés étrangères Monsieur Dimitri Rybolovlev se réclame à Monaco de la propriété de tableaux, propriété que pour les besoins de son divorce il conteste pourtant devant les juridictions genevoises. Il allègue à propos de leur vente, conclue en bonne et due forme, des manœuvres imaginaires qui résultent de l’évaluation unilatérale et hautement contestable qu’il en propose.

Geneva’s Le Temps adds some anonymous speculation that Bouvier was taking too much money by acting as intermediary on transactions:

According to a source close to the case, to motivate his complaint, the complainant would have invoked a purchasing system and sale of paintings through offshore companies, orchestrated by Yves Bouvier. In essence, the complainant would have developed the following argument: shell companies being the legal owners of the works stored at Ports francs, Yves Bouvier have taken margins on transactions between buyers and sellers who could not verify amounts actually paid or received since the parties were unaware of each other’s identities.

Reportedly, Dmitry Rybolovlev claims to have found out about roses after a chance meeting with the seller of a work acquired through Yves Bouvier. Their discussion showing undue margin imposed by the intermediary.

Yves Bouvier: The underside of the complaint  (LeTemps)

More from Art Market Monitor

  • Auctionata is ComingAuctionata is Coming
  • The Mother of All Bradfords at Phillips in London + Another at Christie’sThe Mother of All Bradfords at Phillips in London + Another at Christie’s
  • Miami HeatMiami Heat
  • Sotheby's Goes to Russia (Yet Again)Sotheby's Goes to Russia (Yet Again)
  • How Does Nazi-Looted Art Get Back to Its Rightful Owners? Slowly. Very Slowly.How Does Nazi-Looted Art Get Back to Its Rightful Owners? Slowly. Very Slowly.
  • ArtList’s 5 Art World Updates: A Future Museum of Electronic Music & MoMA Plans for ExpansionArtList’s 5 Art World Updates: A Future Museum of Electronic Music & MoMA Plans for Expansion

Filed Under: General

About Marion Maneker

Want to get Art Market Monitor‘s posts sent to you in our email? Sign up below by clicking on the Subscribe button.

Top Posts

  • Keith Haring’s 1989 Retrospect Comes to Sotheby’s London Prints Sale
  • Portraits of King Charles I's Children Lead Sotheby's December Old Master Sale
  • Asian Art Market Continues Rapid Ascent at Sotheby’s $270 M. Hong Kong Sales
  • How to Chant Like an Auctioneer
  • Four of Picasso's Women Valued at $28m Come to Christie's from Rose-Walters Collection
  • Roy Lichtenstein’s Top Ten Auction Prices
  • Phillips to Showcase Helen Frankenthaler at Southampton Outpost
  • Tony Podesta's Secret Art Buying
  • David Hockney's $20m Pacific Coast Highway & Santa Monica
  • Norman Rockwell's Not Gay. But Is He a Great Artist?
  • About Us/ Contact
  • Podcast
  • AMMpro
  • Newsletter
  • FAQ

twitterfacebooksoundcloud
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
California Privacy Rights
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Advertise on Art Market Monitor