A few days later, Feng Yu, who had been visiting the manor for a few days, flew to New York. In fact, the biggest thing for him when he came to New York this time was not to invest, but to attend an auction, a Sotheby's auction.
Sotheby's is the world's most famous book and art auction company, with branches in more than 40 countries and regions around the world, but it mainly has two auction venues, one in London and one in New York.
Half of the sky-high auction prices for many artworks in the world, especially books, are from Sotheby's, which shows its industry status.
This time, Feng Yu came to participate in the Sotheby's auction in New York. It is said that many Western artworks will be auctioned this time, including books, oil paintings, etc. With the recent economic downturn, many former Internet tycoons are about to go bankrupt, so their collections have to be liquidated.
Feng Yu's goal is of course oil painting. I want to buy it and give it to Kirilenko as his wedding gift.
At this auction, Feng Yu let Ralph know that there were several Western oil paintings, as well as works by world-class masters, such as Van Gogh and Picasso.
There are many famous painters in the history of oil painting, but the works of these two have been flourishing for many years. Even Feng Yu, who does not understand oil painting at all, has heard of these two, who are known as the top two oil painters in modern history. An artist whose status is comparable to that of Leonardo da Vinci.
Feng Yu's mentality is that when giving things to others, he should always give a work that others know and like. If you give a Chinese painting as a gift, it may be worth tens of thousands of dollars in the eyes of Chinese people or some art collectors, but in the eyes of Kirilenko, it may be similar to the New Year paintings posted on the walls of ordinary people. Well, you can buy three of them for ten dollars.
…
"Boss, this is the album of the auction items. It contains pictures, descriptions, appraisal institutions, starting prices and other information about the auction items. I have written it out for you on this piece of paper. It contains the location of the oil paintings in the album."
Ralph handed an album and a piece of paper to Feng Yu. There was no need to worry about the Sotheby's auction items being fake. Sotheby's reputation is worth at least tens of billions of dollars. If it was fake, they would never dare to put it up for auction. Of course, there will be some clear indications on it. If the authenticity of the lot cannot be determined, buyers are asked to make their own judgment.
Feng Yu started to look through the paintings according to the list. They were all relatively expensive oil paintings. The first painting is "The Massacre of the Innocents" by the Dutch painter Rubens, which tells the story of human vulgar behavior and inner emotions including massacre.
The starting price was US$40 million, which Feng Yu immediately crossed off.
It’s not that the price is too high, even if it’s 100 million US dollars, he won’t be heartbroken if he gives it to Kirilenko. The two have been very happy to cooperate over the years. Without Kirilenko's help, Feng Yu's initial capital accumulation would never have gone so smoothly.
It's because this painting is about massacre and negative emotions. Especially if you give such a painting to someone as a wedding gift, isn't that your brain being kicked by a donkey! Moreover, Feng Yu, a country boy like this, has never heard of this painter.
The second one is a self-portrait of Van Gogh. Although there were obviously photos in the era when this guy lived, and he also has at least three clear photos left in the world, and there are at least more than 40 of his self-portraits, but each one The paintings are so sought after by people.
Feng Yu looked at this self-portrait. It was blurry and the colors were weird. Oh, no, the description given by the appraisal agency to this painting is: not to express it as vividly as a photo, but to express and strengthen the characters in a passionate way through the knowledge of color and the modern taste of color.
What the hell is this called modern taste in color? Feng Yu doesn’t have a good taste anyway, and he doesn’t know how those so-called people who “understand” art taste it.
The starting price of this painting was US$50 million. Feng Yu ticked the box and kept it as an option. Van Gogh's name is like thunder. Although he can't appreciate it, maybe his fiancée will like it very much.
The third painting is called "Still Life". The author is Paul Cézanne of France. Feng Yu took a look and saw that there were apples, onions, oranges, wine bottles, plates, tablecloths, wine glasses, table knives and other things on a table. He I didn’t see any beauty in it, but the starting price was actually $42 million.
Are you sure this isn't the painting of a novice from the art school? Is there any difference
The description behind the painting is: This is an apple that has no politics, no so-called thoughts, no ambitions, no impatience, no pretense of deepness! It is fresh and fragrant, real and tangible, true to its natural properties, quiet and lustrous. This is a particularly meaningful picture.
Feng Yu admires these people who write comments and descriptions very much. This is an apple. It is a must-have for beginners of oil painting. Of course, Apple has no ideological politics and no ambitions. Can Apple still run for president of the United States
Very meaningful, what does it mean? There is an onion next to the apple. Are you sure it smells fresh and fragrant
Well, Feng Yu has also heard of Cézanne’s name. Check it out. Judging from Kirilenko’s artistic taste, if Feng Yu gave him this painting, he would definitely hang it in the restaurant. Well, Feng Yu also thinks it is very suitable to hang a restaurant.
Hey, here is a painting by Picasso. Feng Yu was overjoyed. He saw the name "Woman with Arms Folding Her Chest" and gave her a painting of a beautiful woman. Brother Ji would definitely like it.
After Feng Yu turned to the album, he looked confused. Is this called a master's painting? Is this the artist's work? Is this the work of art that everyone praises
Damn, this person looks more abstract than the alien in Feng Yu's mind. Are you sure he's not a disabled person? This kind of painting has a sense of familiarity with the crayon work of a primary school student. Nothing is symmetrical. The lines are so rough that Feng Yu seriously doubts whether this kind of painting was painted by Picasso with his feet!
Hanging this kind of painting in the bedroom would give Feng Yu nightmares at night!
But thinking about Picasso's so-called abstraction, Feng Yu gritted his teeth and chose it as an alternative.
Next came several paintings by famous artists, but Feng Yu was not very satisfied. Either it's not famous enough, or it means something wrong. For example, that one is also a masterpiece by Rubens, called "The Beating of the Baby."
What does it mean to give such a painting to someone at their wedding, telling Kirilenko: "Brother, a dutiful son comes out of a stick?"
Not to mention Kirilenko is a Russian, even if he is from China, in the Northeast, Northwest and other places where there is a tradition of beating children, if you give someone such a painting, they will be beaten!
Feng Yu couldn't understand those manuscripts, books, etc. Kirilenko and his fiancée probably didn't like them either, and the prices were not high.
Feng Yu felt a little worried. Could it be that there was something wrong with his appreciation level? In other words, these paintings were simply hyped up by nobles, businessmen, etc. to make profits.
When art is tainted with the smell of copper, it will naturally deteriorate. Feng Yu is not worried about the smell of copper. He is not short of money, but he wants to meet the occasion.
Now it seems that the most suitable work should be the "Still Life" work. Is it really a gift for a "beginner"? The restaurant in Brother Brother's Manor
(End of chapter)