- Title: Russians get a chance to buy local art ahead of London auction
- Date: 18th May 2016
- Summary: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (MAY 18, 2016) (REUTERS) VISITORS AND MEDIA VIEWING PAINTINGS VARIOUS OF PASTORAL SCENE PAINTING VARIOUS OF PAINTING OF BRIGHTLY DRESSED WOMEN (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHAIRMAN OF SOTHEBY'S RUSSIA AND CIS, MARK POLTIMORE, SAYING: "We bought a selection of Russian pictures, both 19th century, 20th century and contemporary, which is an area we're very excited about. We've also bought one small piece of Faberge as well. We bring them to Moscow because principally the buyers are Russian and we feel that our presence in Russia is really important for future sales and buying in other categories." VISITORS AND MEDIA VIEWING FABERGE CIGAR CASE VARIOUS OF FABERGE CIGAR CASE WITH SCULPTURE OF RUSSIAN DOUBLE-HEADED EAGLE AND PICTURE OF THE KREMLIN VISITOR VIEWING PAINTING VARIOUS OF PAINTING OF BATTLE SCENE VISITORS VIEWING PAINTINGS VARIOUS OF PORTRAIT VISITORS AND MEDIA VIEWING WORKS
- Embargoed: 2nd June 2016 10:55
- Keywords: Sotheby's Russia art paintings faberge auction
- Location: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- City: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- Country: Russia
- Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVA0014IC43SP
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Visitors and media gathered in Moscow on Wednesday (May 18) for a show of Russian art works by auction house Sotheby's, before they are auctioned in London on June 7.
The art which was available for auction to include a cigar case by Faberge and paintings by artists including Natalia Goncharova, Filipp Malyavin and Ivan Shishkin.
Russian works and buyers have played a significant part in the international art market, but were heavily affected in recent years by the fall of the rouble and EU-imposed sanctions over Moscow's involvement in the Ukraine conflict.
"We bought a selection of Russian pictures, both 19th century, 20th century and contemporary, which is an area we're very excited about. We've also bought one small piece of Faberge as well. We bring them to Moscow because principally the buyers are Russian and we feel that our presence in Russia is really important for future sales and buying in other categories," said the Chairman of Sotheby's Russia and CIS, Mark Poltimore about the decision to give Russian buyers a preview of some works.
Previous auctions of Russian works have attracted both negative and positive attention.
In June 2015 Sotheby's withdrew from sale a painting by a famous Russian artist that Russia's Interior Ministry said had been stolen from a private collection in Moscow.
In November 2014 an auction of Russian art by auction house Christie's brought in more than 20 million pounds ($29 million). Another by Sotheby's the same day, also of Russian art, raised just 5 million pounds ($7 million). While Christie's said the results showed Russian art was still in high demand, Sotheby's said returns were affected by geopolitics.
The current show was also part of Russian art week. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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