since the crisis began in 2008, well seedy world art market, already passed almost five years. Despite the fact that life does not get tired to throw economic surprises, western art auction market has since managed to recover. According to authoritative estimates, the market had three years to reach the pre-crisis level. 2011, as calculated by Artprice, and did set an absolute world record turnover auction market. But it is in the world.

As for the Russian antiques market, then the return to pre-crisis level of say, unfortunately, is still premature. In certain matters, and we have a positive trend: Russian (more precisely, the Moscow-St.Petersburg) auction market, for example, also added from year to year. Sales are growing slowly, prices gradually increase. But in general, many sellers of paintings and graphics are still complaining about the situation: few buyers. And this - the main problem.

So where buyers gone? On this issue has already developed a set of standard versions. First: collectors massively went abroad and have stopped buying in Russia. Two: in connection with power permutations and anti-corruption campaign (soon some still need to declare the cost) to stop buying government officials and people associated with them, creating a domino effect. The third version - err on the overall negative expectations of the owners of capital, that is, people who are able to purchase significant paintings. Since this is also difficult to argue. So, in 2012, the net capital outflow from Russia amounted to $ 56 billion, and the in the first three months of 2013 - more than 25 billion dollars . In short, all the versions together make quite lulling explanation for the market, why not boom painting - "because life is like that." And we have it, too, for the time being arranged. If it were not for one "but».

fact that, in the presence of the same oppressive conditions in the next street festival continues. Which, by the way, even in the acute phase of the crisis does not stop thinking. This, of course, talking about collectibles such segments as the Order, medals, coins and books. Statistics from these auctions head spin. Here are just a recent example of the March: Auction "Kabinet" has sold 98 percent of the coins, and the house "in Nikitsky" held the record book auction for 150 million rubles. Moreover, trading in these segments are held with unprecedented compared to the heat of combat art auctions. Buys and old alike. The rooms do not breathe - for 50-100 people. And traded every second. And the money goes to the very substantial progress. What is the explanation?

If all went and "Clutching" in their spending, how do the neighbors come from buyers? Who made out of the book for $ 5 million? Simple book lovers? Well, well. Or who purchase orders, which can cost several tens of millions of rubles each? In the workbook they do not look within, but not difficult to guess. The same officials, businessmen and rentiers - collectors with money. It turns out: nowhere left to go seriously going costs are not afraid. Even if someone swings, the reliable support of these markets is the army of traditional collectors, for which the formation of assembly - longstanding passion. And it along with the appropriate knowledge they willingly handed down. They are the ones to buy no matter what, in any economic climate.

So maybe the story of evaporating buyers in the segment of painting - is a superstition? And it is in something completely different? How else to explain the factors that can collect in the auction halls of collectors - booksellers, faleristov and coin collectors do not work in the market of painting and drawing? Let us think together.

motors market, in general, are the same everywhere: the variety and quality of the proposal, the prices of different levels of availability, liquidity and fashion.

On the first point - the level of supply - has long been a deficit of investment quality items. It's all understandable. Soviet years were not wasted. Collectors of coins or medals can live in a communal and nightstand store countless treasures at present inaccessible to prying eyes. Secretly own painting was not an example of complicated. And with the lack of painting is difficult to do anything radical. Slowly things are re-exported from abroad. But, honestly, market participants there is little independent. Deficit reduction could contribute to a public auction sale of the unused part of museum collections (still fantastic scenario) as well as the liberalization of not only import but also export (these ideas are already being discussed in the Ministry of Culture). Over time, the market turnover will be actively involved with modern art. But all of this process is not very fast. Separately add that washing with the art market of quality things - this is a world problem. Outstanding things are rare, not only in Russia but also in the foreign galleries and auctions. Collectors confirm this.

prices. Of course, there a different threshold for "entry". Rare coins can be purchased for 10 thousand dollars, and a painting of the investment quality for the money to be found. Is that schedule. But this is not so bad. In the scenic segment observers often overlook significant price distortions when not something that the individual authors, and on the same things in our market price is 2-3 times higher than those overseas auctions. In this situation, the active demand of informed buyers is difficult to calculate. Their awareness is growing rapidly. Including not without our help.

now about liquidity. The most sensitive issue. Owner coins can expect that with a probability of about 80-90 per cent, he will quickly realize their lot at the market price at the auction. This is not idle speculation. People can see with their own eyes that the numismatic auction is a pillar of smoke. Therefore, do not afraid to buy - that is not afraid to "hang" with his subject. Since the probability of a quick resale of painting is reduced to 35-50 per cent. The solution? Wait and watch how the auctions gain strength. Dynamics is. In 2011, just for instance 30-35 percent of the lots were sold, and in 2012, sales have already chosen to 45-50 per cent. People will catch up when they see the result.

Well, the last one by one, but not least - fashion. The fashion for collecting art before 2008 was at its peak. The names of the collectors were at the hearing, many of them tried to keep alignment. And now ... you heard that someone in Russia exhibited a significant collection of paintings and graphics? Oligarch businessman or manager corporation? Antique or modern art? So that the press wrote, the channel "Culture" show, gave an interview to a collector. It happens, but rarely. The reason? Attack of modesty? Hardly, most collectors are thin feel some new attitudes. Not very healthy.

summarize. Accept the logic that the economic and political situation in the country leaves much to be desired: there is a revision of the social contract, there is the pressure of external factors and so on. But this situation, you see, affects the entire market. Thus in some of its segments seething activity, buyers there is no crisis, and in other, related, - lack of buyers and the prolonged recovery period. Obviously, the wealthy buyers are not available as a class. Not the reason. Just in some segments they are more comfortable, and in some less. Perhaps we should stop myself lulled and attribute all the problems to the "tightness" of buyers, and continue to look for other causes of difficult "situation" and the ways out of it.

Vladimir Bogdanov, Konstantin Babulin, AI