Prices in pounds and euros we have translated into dollars for convenience. To maintain the principle of "one artist — one picture" that Rothko took all the first place. Well, who do not know, to the orbit of Russian art, the artists in the majority are us by birth.

Anticipating questions about Rothko, Weber and Soutine, — Yes, they too, like other artists of the ten were born in the Russian Empire. Later many went, and emerged as artists in the West and have taken a worthy place in world art history. Top-10 first half of the year only two artists have conventionally mainly national value of — Shishkin and Aivazovsky. All other — artists of international recognition, Russian roots which buyers already have no special significance. Our artists bought by collectors all over the world, relating them to the representatives of American abstract expressionism (Rothko), French school, (Chagall, de Stael, Soutine, Archipenko) and German abstract expressionism (Kandinsky, Jawlensky).

Why all such sales occur abroad, and not us? It's simple. With rare exception, all of these things originally were located abroad, in Russia never was. For many decades they have been circulating in Western collections and sold in a comfortable and predictable legal, tax and customs environment. Losing this comfort and predictability, none of the members of the art-рынка in their right mind wants. Nobody wants to think about the nuances of foreign laws on export and import, not to lose on taxes, nor to worry about subsequent export (while it is possible, but you never know). In General, all masterpieces from our dozens sold at international auctions the top five, with which all local (including Russian) auctions can not compete. Including in terms of attracting important collectors at the auction. So the result is understandable and logical.

the top ten In the first half of 2016 includes only classic, authors and paintings of the XIX — the first half of the twentieth century. The most expensive work of post-war unofficial art — diptych "Sobakin" (1980) Ilya Kabakov, sold for $662 314 in February. With this result, Kabakov takes 12-е place.

Finally, a few words about where the local Chicago local auctions. With a place in the world ratings start their results? In the first six months is the biggest deal in the auction market of Russia took place in March 2016. Painting by Igor Grabar sketchy plan "for-реку" was sold for $325,000 on "Sovkome". 22-е place.

Vladimir Bogdanov, AI