2009: records and trends

Figure titled "Head of the Muses", made by Rafael (Raphael), took first place in the list of the most expensive works sold at public auction in 2009. Buyer laid out for her 47.5 million dollars.

for Rafael should Matisse (Henri Matisse), whose painting "Daffodils and tablecloth in blue and pink colors" brought 45.6 million dollars. This amount was a record for the great French artist. In third place is the work of Andy Warhol (Andy Warhol) «200 dollar bills", which went under the hammer for 43.8 million dollars. Next come the lap "Portrait of a Man" by Rembrandt (Rembrandt), bought for 32.9 million dollars, and "chair with dragons" Eileen Gray (Eileen Gray), which brought $ 28 million.

This year's art market enjoyed the greatest success classic of the twentieth century and the old masters. Head Gallery "Elysium" Marina Molchanov, talking about took place in Maastricht on antiques fair TEFAF , added: "By our observations, the prices rose, but not fallen. According to the old masters prices have not changed (we have something to ask), the Russian diaspora, too, in general, nothing has changed. Generally, the old masters feel fine. Perhaps the greatest number of sales was just there (namely the number of sales is an indicator of health )».

most successful auction of the year was the first part of the sale of the collection of Yves Saint Laurent (Yves Saint-Laurent ) and Pierre Berge (Pierre Bergé), arranged by Christie's 23-25 February. Many works from the collection that were in profusion are excellent works of old masters, impressionists and modernists, had gone in excess of estimate.

London auction house Christie's on December 8, at which have been sold Rembrandt and a drawing by Raphael, brought 68.3 million pounds, which is the largest amount ever auction in this category.

With regard to contemporary art, there is a correction in prices was much more pronounced than in other market segments. This year at the major auctions from Christie's and Sotheby's, held in New York and London, has sold works of art at 482.3 million dollars - 75 percent less than in 2008 (while this figure amounted to 1,97 billion). Auction houses also abandoned the practice of safeguards in connection with which increased the number of private transactions.

events of the year. Auctions and Art Fair