According to Sotheby's, almost a third of the work Old Masters at the evening auction in London on July 3 were bought Russian customers. As the co-chair of the Department of Old Master Alex Bell, the number of Russian collectors at the auction of its segment has been growing for several years. Russian customers at the last auction was interested in the work of different styles - from religious subjects to the early Dutch still life.

In the pre-show at Sotheby's in Moscow in May this year attended the July auction 11 lots of the Old Masters and as a result, almost half of which was sold to Russian buyers.

According to Bloomberg, one Russian customer orders over the phone, got both El Greco's work: the painting "Christ on the Cross" for 3.4 million pounds and a picture of the "Prayer of St. Dominic", sold for a record 9.15 million pounds. According to estimates Bloomberg, Russian customers have been spent on the work of the Old Masters, a total of 15.8 million pounds (22.6 million dollars). According to art consultant from Amsterdam Johan Bosch van Rosenthal, Russian enthusiastic purchase of works of the Old Masters, but only the best of them.

Sources : Press Release Sotheby's, bloomberg.com , artinvestment.ru