• Painting seized by law enforcement agencies of Belarus, according to the preliminary conclusion of the staff of the National art Museum of Belarus, is the original of I. I. Shishkin
  mvd.gov.by

As reported in the website of the Ministry of internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarusat the end of 2016 by the General Directorate for drug control and combating human trafficking of the interior Ministry became aware of a group of drug traffickers who profit from drugs and psychotropics from Russia to Belarus. It turned out that in January 2017 the group is planning a shipment of drugs from Russia with simultaneous transfer from Belarus to Moscow unidentified expensive paintings.

on 16 January the Belarusian law enforcement agencies carried out the arrests of drug traffickers. Were seized a large consignment of drugs, but drug couriers, investigators found forest landscape signed "I. Shishkin. 1897". Upon request, the Interpol have found that it is, apparently, the work of Ivan Ivanovich Shishkin, "the Forest. Ate" (1897;, oil on canvas, size 60 × 82 cm), stolen from historical vyaznikovskogo-художественного Museum in the Vladimir region in 2013. Then there was the stolen works of Konstantin Korovin ("Fisher") and Stanislav Zhukovsky ("First snow"), whose whereabouts are not yet established.

Shishkin's Painting was transferred to the national art Museum of Belarus, whose staff has previously recognized its authenticity. Law enforcement agencies of Belarus and Russia now working together to identify those involved in stealing paintings from the Museum vyaznikovskogo.

On Shishkin's picture on the website of the interior Ministry stated that it was brought to Belarus to demonstrate to the potential buyer from Europe, but the parties do not agree on the price, and the deal fell through. And before that job repeatedly exposed to illegal Internet-аукционах. Was planned to take the painting back to Moscow, where the buyer (citizen of one of EU countries) supposedly was already ready to buy it for 100 thousand euros and 3 kg of cocaine. This shipment and was stopped by Belarusian security forces.

Source: mvd.gov.by

Review by Konstantin Babulin, ARTinvestment.RU

Sex, drugs, rock-н-ролл...

not Only sex, a picture of Shishkina.

rock-н-ролл, and riot police and robbers.

And not drugs, and — UPS, but the drugs were.

so, what are we?

On the website of the interior Ministry of Belarus hosted the release of high-profile discovery of a painting by Shishkin, abducted 2013-м year of the Russian Museum. Everything seemed to be. What more is there to add, except well done? So.

, Except that a couple of nuances. Read carefully the information message:

"According to preliminary information, the painting "the Forest. Eating” was brought to Belarus in order to show the potential buyer from Europe, however, the parties do not agree on the price and the deal did not materialize. Prior to this, she has repeatedly exhibited illegal Internet-аукционах".

that's about it — "have been exhibited at illegal Internet-аукционах" —, I would like to learn more. What kind of illegal Internet-аукционы? Obviously this is an analogue of the notorious "black market art". Well, where is he? Moved to the Internet for illegal auctions? And theyplace, where? Would give at least a reference, the curious. What if there are-то right now exhibit? And if this Shishkin exhibited "repeatedly" and knew of the interior Ministry, then why didn't you? Why not contact the sellers and not tied them at the same time? No answer...

But read on: "the next day after the detention of the canvas was supposed to arrive to Moscow and sold there to a citizen of one of the EU for 100 million euros and 3 kg of cocaine".

Here's how! Well, let's count all the money. If you believe the articles on this subject, 1kg of cocaine worth $120 000. Multiply, add up and obtain amount about $467 000.

Question: is this an adequate price for such work?

ibid, on the website of the Ministry of interior, there is a certain rating: "According to experts, the cost of this painting at auction can reach up to 2 million dollars, but because legally sell the picture impossible, the attackers were willing to sell it for a sum far below the real".

What kind of experts are these? Where did this figure? In my humble opinion, the price has not just taken from the ceiling, and is absurd. I admit that these same experts went into our database statistics of auction sales and saw the first the highest amount, not even looking at sizes. Yes, indeed, 2016-м year at Sotheby's, was sold painting by Shishkin for $2 million But-первых, she was 3.5 times greater (109 × 162 cm), and in-вторых, Sotheby's — is the most expensive place in the world for the sale of paintings. Well, here is an assessment of experts from the state agencies... by the Way, in Russia state authorities tend to rate about the same.

If you come down with bureaucratic heights on solid ground, in Russia (and take Shishkin not in law) the real market value of this picture is now plus-минус $150 000. And given the murderous burden in the form that it was stolen, it could cost no more than $10 000-20 000. And that is unlikely. Is that as dangerous a trophy to brag guys, but to tickle nerves. Because the main question: "What is it then did the buyer do?". Answer it has. To hide in the cellar and enjoy in solitude? This is nonsense, and the picture is not that level, and such collectors-маньяков not actually exist. And this statement proves just this history: three years picture can not sell, and not because they are fools and do not know the prices, but because stolen goods nobody wants.

the Conclusion? Citizens of the bandits, steal the paintings is pointless and economically extremely risky from the point of view of the conspiracy!

Hear me? Hopefully, Yes...

Konstantin Babulin, AI