Demand for rare, well-preserved works of old masters of high artistic quality, has always remained at a high level

In recent years, very often you can hear the rapid rise in the prices of works by rising stars of contemporary art from China, India and the Middle East. By contrast, the market works by old masters are the more peaceful, more stable and therefore less risky. However, it is not protected from harm at all one hundred percent. This segment suffered greatly during the recent crisis: after the peak reached in 1990, already in 1993-m price index fell by half - and only stabilized by mid-1990's.

In this sector, the masterpieces are rare, as buyers - picky. Therefore, if on the open market, there are rare works of old masters of museum quality, the stakes are rising with surprising rapidity.

Over the past 10 years in this segment was done some very expensive purchases that are Making a noise. The absolute record here was a Peter Paul Rubens (Peter Paul Rubens), and his painting «Childermas», which was sold at auction Sotheby's in July 2002 for 49.5 million pounds (76.7 million dollars) and became the most expensive product of all the works of old masters.

When exceptional quality of work all the same displayed on the auction, the prices they instantly take off. For example, in the market there are very few paintings by Jean-Antoine Watteau (Jean Antoine Watteau). From 1996 to 2008 have been sold all 13 of his works, but the prices have never reached the number seven because of insufficient quality. But when in July 2008 to sell the picture was exhibited «Surprise» estimeytom with 3-5 million pounds, Christie's bidders raised the price right up to 12.36 million pounds (24.38 million dollars), rather than once again proved that this sector of the market a high demand for this level of work - the thing is very stable. Even in times of crisis, buyers continue to challenge each other outstanding works of old masters. Most recently, 2 December «Flora» Giovanni Battista Tiepolo (Giovanni Battista Tiepolo), for many years kept in the attic of French Chateau, was three times higher than estimeyt and was sold for 2.8 million pounds (4,2 million dollars) .

As we have seen, only one signature of a famous artist of past centuries are not enough to cause excitement among collectors, even if the work of the wizard is running out. The high artistic merit and good pictures are mandatory requirements of the buyer, are willing to pay for its acquisition of a significant amount. Even Pieter Bruegel Junior (Pieter Brueghel the Younger) is no exception to this rule: the less quality product can be sold two times cheaper than similar work, but more successful on the topic, and large size. For example, there are several versions of the painting «The Wedding Feast»: the artist copied it several times, changing the color and improving the composition. Their cost ranges from 130 to 280 thousand pounds.

material produced Catherine Onuchin

Source: artprice.com , sothebys.com , christies.com , artinvestment.ru