, held in early June, the London «Russian week», finishing the season auction business, is unlikely to go down in history. In addition to a pair of amusing misunderstandings institutional (modified attribution Glazunov at Sotheby's and early sales of strings Sarian at MacDougall's), will remember nothing. In terms of bidding price does not reveal the new trends and future directions. A total depth of information bezrybya well characterizes the attention with which the commentators have reacted to a personal record for creativity Glyukmana. Here too, the right sensation. But since much misunderstanding determined person, with them, and begin.

Funny way left of the information field scandalous history with the work of Ilya Glazunov «View of the Kremlin» . Trehmetrovaya picturesque «culture» exhibition and sale of works of Soviet artists, held in Berlin in 1979 (such conclusions can be drawn from the explanations Sotheby's, at least), was offered for auction with attribution Glazunov and estimeytom 8-12 thousand pounds. And nothing presaged the scandal until Glazunov in sharp terms not stated its not belonging to the establishment of the «daub» not required to withdraw the painting from auction . Sotheby's initially accepted the challenge, brought arguments, not told of the story - a word, all spoke about the that the origin of the canvas, all in order and shuffle the window after the shout from Moscow to London will not. In addition, a large part of the art community doubt the attribution of a particular work is not there, despite the protests of Glazunov. Generally, the principal position is always respected. And even more so when the dispute involved a rather influential figure in Russian chinovnyh and artistic structures. It would seem that the auction - respect: the case even if not simple, and not yielded to, to defend their attribution. But there it was. Over the three days prior to the auction came the news: the picture on the auction will be, but on the other attribution. Strong «Glazunov» become a shy «Russian school. XX century ». In this fig-leaf painting and sold close to the bottom estimeytu - for 7,5 thousand pounds.

It seems that you are done, but questions remained. Reatributsiya - this is the decision of Solomon? Or the legal risks? Or the desire to avoid any complications with the authorities of the country, which recently opened? Everyday you can find many explanations. In our country, this step is understandable and prostitelen. Another point is that Sotheby's - this is not an independent company from the Russian authorities, and the respectable world-class player. During the civil servants and do not like foreign organizations that are not in svoyski «Call» and «agree». And as was true point in the discussion forum ARTinvestment.RU, when Sotheby's after a fairly low pressure in the obvious situation yields and changes the attribution, then can we be sure that if more pressure is not called black white? Once a well-known artist at the request turns into an unknown, then an unknown artist with the well-known persistence can turn into Mashkov or Filonov? From the question marks are already ryabit in the eyes. In the meantime, understand only one thing: if the house has a strong, independent examination of Russian art, a similar political compromises, there is no need to go.

Misunderstanding of MacDougall's was a different kind. This new auction house, too, for three days before the scheduled auction sold at auction declared June 12-13, a compilation of paintings and graphics Martiros Saryan (total of 8) for 1.2 million dollars. collector who wished to remain anonymous, bought everything in bulk . As the auction for the upper bound estimeyta (I figure a little bit not agree, but in general, is pretty much). It seems that this is a fake fashion. On the field «sell before the auction» has repeatedly said that Sotheby's: remember the collection of Faberge eggs ¹ from Forbes sold by Victor Vekselberg in 2004, or the collection of Rostropovich - Vishnevskaya, Alisher Usmanov bought out in 2007. In both cases the amounts were, however, once in a hundred more than 1.2 million dollars to the MacDougall's. But actually it does not change. Pro sports fair play, chess principle «is - go» (in our case, «said - to sell») or the very competitive nature, differentiating from the auction gallery, like in our time, perhaps ridiculous. Another point is that the auction house, taking a decision on such a deal, depriving the market of relevant information, of market prices. That is, without public bidding is not clear how many are now working Sarian of the class.

Well, yes it does wilds alone inappropriate and ethical. The time horizon chosen for price information. Here, it is gratifying to note that, in general, our forecasts made a month ago , true. Is that with «sailboat» Natalia Goncharova - Top fathomable Bonhams - you had to take a more conservative stance. Still, predicted 3.5 million pounds - unwarranted optimism. Indeed, understanding that the D overestimated that in general a good job, came immediately after the pre-exhibition. But by the time the number had already gone to press. In the end result is impressive blue «sailboat» - 1,7 million pounds. Recognize a reasonable price.

June 9, the first a clear statistics of auction sales for the developer's conceptual «signal» Yuri Zlotnikov. At Bonhams for the first time in 18 years at auction was offered a pair of large gouaches typical 1989 and 1972, each of which has gone close to the bottom estimeytu, respectively for 3.6 and 4.8 thousand pounds. But the naive picturesque «fraternization» Ex-Mit'ki Dmitry Shagin not been able to initiate a public price statistics. Work in 1988 remained unsold even within estimeyta 7-9 thousand pounds. Rather, the picture simply «not hit» in the audience, because the thing is generally quite revealing. Among the interesting lots, marked D, has not been sold and the picture of Lydia Masterkovoy «One, lost, forgotten» (1990). There will most likely worked out the price factor. By the way, in their projections of D drawn the attention of readers to the fact that the Bonhams auction in June to set a very high lower estimeyty - let's say, estimeyty without affectation. But for the meter canvas was appointed vanity high expert evaluation of 120-180 thousand pounds. This is more than twice as expensive than the selling of the Masterkovoy comparable class in the previous year. It is clear that such prices will be. Especially in the light of recent unfortunate circumstances (the artist died a month ago). But you can see, time is not ripe.

Probably due to the revaluation of the notorious and not bought a small canvas by Alexander Kharitonov «On Christmas» (1975). Such an outcome we foresaw: the history of recent sales indicates that 40 thousand pounds for the tiny «laces» - this is an outstanding result, but random, and for installation at a minimum level estimeyta manifestly unsuitable.

But gouache «Tarusa 1993» Edward Steinberg bought, albeit lower than the lowest boundary estimeyta 20-30 thousand pounds. Earned 18 thousand pounds for the time the money is not the sixties, too small, the result could be zero.

Apparently, it is better to continue to Bonhams not to hold a Russian bid to one day from Sotheby's. That is the specifics of the transition states. After all, the auction for the part of buyers from Russia - it is not a business event, but rather a variant of the elite shopping, in which the sign above the shop is able to be critical. Based on the results, customers on that day let couples there, on New Bond Street, but in another building.

At Sotheby's on the same day it was and unsold lots are smaller and more impressive results with exceedances zavlekatelnyh estimeytov. Much published butter «sailboat» (1975) Mikhail Shvartsman been sold for 157.25 thousand pounds - nearly three times higher estimeyta and 60 thousand above markedly more optimistic prognosis D.

undistinguished «Still Life with Fruit» Natalia Goncharova sold, as predicted by D, the lower boundary estimeyta. Another point is that for the indulgent tone is all the same very impressive results - 2.28 million pounds, or about 4.5 million dollars.

D Hope that will take on primary estimeytu «Motherhood» (1910), Vladimir Baranov-Rossini, failed to materialize. The range of expert estimates was defiantly high 1,2-1,8 million pounds. But on the other hand, and work Baranova-Rossini such class at the tender has never appeared. Whatever the case, but to the exhausted investment potential outcome was not sold.

But from guessing Lanskoe well. It is clear that the case is not in luck, and that the information field on the prices of the «graph abstractionism» fairly extensively and well reviewed. His paintings and gouaches often appear at auction, is widely represented in the gallery market. Based on a set of indicators (statistics, quality of work, participation in exhibitions, including the Russian Museum), D has forecast 110 thousand pounds. In fact, the result for the «Memories of the castle Rokereyn» (1959) was 121 thousand pounds, is close.

Rather has been successfully sold and «Woman with birds» (1927-1928) painted by Alexandra Exter. To effectively transition effects (where kubofuturizm giving way to the plane forms) D predicted excess estimeyta 450-650 thousand pounds, though slightly more substantial. In the end result - 679.6 thousand pounds.

Maximum price Christie's 11 June - this Vyatsky ship timber Ivan Shishkin for 1.3 million pounds of Lyon, the portrait painted by a Japanese actor Peter Konchalovsky over 1049 million pounds, so a few Aivazovsky. In general, auction has turned so «hammer», that at this time peretorgoval even MacDougall's, which surpass zahromavshego veteran Russian bid was the moment of glory.

Total Christie's was 11.2 million pounds in one day, while MacDougall's more than 12 million pounds for two days, 12-13 June. However, this auction house MacDougall's shitril: In general cashier was included strings of eight works Sarian, which was sold, as we recall, without any auction. But if we are honest, without Saryan, it is his 1.2 million dollars and did not have to, to declare on the above Christie's superiority. In general, the mathematics in mathematics, but there is no dispute, the result for MacDougall's a more than impressive.

Nearly a quarter of the 12 millionth cash bids MacDougall's work is done Shishkina, sold for 1.073 billion pounds, and several smaller Ayvazovsky price. Of the notable things antique strings memorable diptych Dmitry Stelletskogo «In Chambers Princess» (1915). The width of each canvas 185.5 see two fairly bright, written in a recognizable «icon» style. As a result, the price significantly exceeded the diptychs estimeyt: 222,3 thousand pounds. In doauktsionnom strings Sarian most expensive work was a little stingy on the details of the landscape «Aragats. Summer »(1922). For lot number 87 listed sale price of £ 381 thousand, with thousands of pounds estimeyte 220-300.

luxury rastorgovalsya MacDougall's and on the second day, June 13, under the post-war and contemporary art. Estimeyty and there were quite high, but the severity of expert assessments offset requirement of their registration. Reserve prices were set lower estimeytov. Here are just a couple examples of democracy in pricing. «Evening sacrifice» Nicholas Vechtomova (1967) was sold for 11.56 thousand pounds - nearly half estimeyta 18-20 thousand pounds. Unexpected result, because the thing is big, decorative, with an interesting bright blue. Maybe it is not so recognized and characterized as red blades, however, is good. Or «City» brush Timur Novikov (Figurative mysticism of 1978, nothing to do with the future of textiles minimalism) while estimeyte in the 18-20 thousand pounds had been sold for thousands of pounds 15.42.

There were, of course, and serious exceedances, and good prices. Almost twice the initial expert evaluation was sold «Still Life with a roll» (1973) Dmitri Krasnopevtseva. Decorative orgalit (Oh, the size of him a lot, and not 38,5 x 60) acquired for 102.8 thousand pounds. Twice exceeded estimeyta (and expensive Krasnopevtseva, over 109,225 thousand pounds) was sold and picturesque «Procession» Boris Sveshnikov - meter-long canvas of 1973. Good work Sveshnikova recently often remained unsold, so the result is amazing - maybe even a record for the artist. The plot is only at first glance neutral: Sveshnikov and this time no cost, without nightmares. Perhaps the severity of the price impact provenans: work like it was in the collection of Norton Dodge, a renowned collector of «other art».

Again, twice the range of expert estimates was sold to a scene of panic Peter Belenkov «Flying figures» (1975). For the artist is still no consensus price, and work appearing at auction, sometimes for no apparent reasons remain unsold. But here, thousands of 64.25 pounds (nearly 130 thousand dollars) for the paint. However, paint a very large, 128 x 99.

Gouache, by the way, there were more. Rare huge dvuhmetrovaya gathered from several vatmanov graphic composition Boris Turetsky «Three dummy» was bought for 57.82 thousand pounds. Emotionally consonant (Turkish artist named his teacher) work «documentalist» Mikhail Roginsky was sold in the peer-review - 24,7 thousand pounds. Perhaps it is coincidence, but from recent results is the impression that collectors finally been rasprobovali the right thing and the Russian post-war modernism. And now wet not sold will be less.

With all the success of MacDougall's worth noting that the range of the work is far from perfect. Thus, in the second part of the trading in the strings and the post-war contemporary art is quite a lot of unsold lots. In the eyes and stay inflated prices and excessive presence of little-known authors. However, other things are not fatal, is that cool disorient novice investors. And much more threats to tail of another variety: it is enough to look at indicators of investment risk, published expert advice site ARTinvestment.RU before bidding to understand that red «lights» for a single auction, it was all the same lot. In particular, the red sign, warning of the high investment risks, the experts noted ARTinvestment.RU advance canvas «Forest Landscape» Robert Falk (estimeyt 40-50 thousand pounds, not sold), all four of the works of Vladimir Yakovlev (most still do not sell), some graphic sheets Mstislav Dobuzhinsky (with estimeytami up to 8 thousand pounds, too, most are not sold) and a number of works (some items from this series found a buyer for a similar price).

Vladimir Bogdanov

Sources: www.sothebys.com , www.bonhams.com , www.christies.com , www.macdougallauction.com , artinvestment.ru

¹ In June, on tapes agencies have information that the fund Pallinghurst Resourses, who bought the trademark from the Faberge cosmetics concern Unilever, is planning to legally grounds to reopen the production status of jewelry «Faberge». Return