Auction house Sotheby's. Meet the auction houses of New York Sotheby's auction house

Sotheby's auction house was founded in 1744 by Samuel Baker, and today is one of the oldest and most famous auction houses in the world.
Together with Christie's, Sotheby's occupies about 90% of the world market for auction sales of antiques and art objects. Initially, Sotheby's was created as a “club for aristocrats.” Moreover, aristocratic origin was required not only from buyers (which is natural, because in those distant times, only aristocrats could afford to buy antiques and art for fabulous money), but also from those who wanted to get a job in an auction house. Until the mid-twentieth century, Sotheby's lived a fairly quiet life; its rapid development began in 1955, when a branch was opened in New York. Later, branches also opened in Paris, Los Angeles, Zurich, Toronto, Edinburgh, Johannesburg, Houston, Florence, Melbourne and Munich. During the industrial crisis of the 80s, the auction house almost went bankrupt. In these difficult times, oil in The fire was fueled by Sotheby's main competitor, Christie's. Its management, in a desire to oust the competitor, reduced its rates, after which Sotheby's revenue decreased by more than 50%. In the early nineties, the management of both auction houses decided to meet each other and agreed to fix tariffs for services. However, it turned out that bid fixing was a crime in the United States, where Sotheby's received most of its revenue. Because of this conspiracy, a scandal broke out, as a result of which the then CEO of Sotheby's was sentenced to a year in prison. Today, things are quite good at Sotheby's. In 2007, one of the world's leading auction houses opened a branch in Moscow, where a number of successful transactions for the sale of Russian art were completed.
In English

https:// christies.com

Christies

Christie's auction house is one of the most famous and respected auction organizers in the world.
Only Sotheby's can compare with it, and together they occupy about 90% of the world market for auction sales of antiques and art objects. The elite auction house began its history back in 1766, when James Christie's organized the first auction.
And from the very beginning of its existence, Christie’s was focused specifically on elitism and world leadership.
The clients of the auction house were titled persons who were willing to pay huge sums of money for art and antiques.
Even members of the royal family sent their collections here, and even valuables of the British national heritage, as well as paintings by most great European artists: impressionists, modernists, cubists, were often exhibited as lots. The most successful times for Christie’s were the 18th and 19th centuries.
It was then that the largest global transactions were completed, which are still talked about today.
For example, Catherine the Great purchased at auction the collection of Sir Robert Worpole, which later formed the basis of the Hermitage exhibition. As in past centuries, today the Christie's auction house works only with elite goods.
Paintings and other art objects put up for auction adorn the exhibitions of many museums around the world.
Since the auction house has an impeccable reputation, the most eminent clients turn to its services without fear.
In addition to art objects, they buy cars, rare books, cigars, collectible wines and other valuables here. Speaking about Christie’s, one cannot fail to mention the most high-profile transactions made at its auctions.

• 1940 Matisse's painting “Persian Dress” sold for $17 million, original price less than $12 million.
• 1990 Vincent van Gogh's painting “Portrait of Doctor Gachet” was sold for $80 million (the most expensive painting at auction).
• 2001 Pablo Picasso’s painting from the Blue Period series, “Woman with Crossed Arms,” sold for $55 million, twice the starting price.

In English

Sotheby's was founded by bookseller Samuel Baker, who held his first auction in 1744 in London and published the first fixed-price book catalogue. In 1754, Baker opened a permanent auction hall. For a century, Baker and his successors specialized exclusively in books and were the organizers of the auctions of all famous libraries, including those of the Prince of Talleyrand, the Dukes of York and Buckingham, and the library of Napoleon, which the Emperor took with him into exile on St. Helena.
In 1778, the business passed to Baker's nephew John Sotheby, whose heirs headed the firm for more than 80 years. Since 1778, the company became known as Sotheby's. During this period the company expanded its activities into the sale of engravings, coins, medals and other antiques, but its main business remained bookselling.
There was an unspoken agreement according to which furniture and paintings were sent to Christie's, which assigned all books to Sotheby's. It was broken in 1913 by the sale of Frans Hals' Portrait of a Man, which sold for a good price for that time of £9,000. And in 1917 a large sale took place, for the first time including paintings along with furniture and engravings. In 1955, the company opened a representative office in New York, and in 1964, it made the even more prescient decision to acquire Park-Burnet Auctions, the largest art auction house in the United States. Having become the property of Sotheby's, the Park-Bernet auction house took a key position in the rapidly growing North American market for the sale of impressionist and modernist paintings.
Sotheby's was a closed "club" where only aristocrats could get work. By the early 1980s, Sotheby's was practically bankrupt. In 1983, Sotheby's was sold to American entrepreneur A. Alfred Taubman, the owner of a large chain of stores. Today Sotheby's has more than 100 offices around the world, including a branch in Moscow. In 2000, Sotheby's became the first international art auction house to conduct auctions online. Among the most interesting lots sold online is the first print of the Declaration of Independence (more than $8 million).

Christie's

Christie's auction house was founded on December 5, 1766 in London by antiquarian James Christie. Currently, Christie's is the largest auction house in the world. 1,800 employees, 116 auction house branches in 42 countries; the largest branch is located in New York.
Each year, Christie's holds more than 1,000 auctions with a turnover of more than $2 billion. The main office of the auction house is located on King Street in the prestigious area of ​​St. James, 100 meters from St. James's Palace, the current residence of members of the royal family. In particular, the heir to the throne, Prince Charles, lives in St. James's Palace. In 1975, an additional office opened in South Kensington.

Drotheum auction house

300 years after its foundation, the Dorotheum, established in 1707, is the largest auction house in Central Europe, the largest in the German-speaking area, as well as one of the leading auctioneers worldwide.

The Dorotheum hosts about 600 auctions a year, and more than 100 specialists attend to over 40 departments.

Tradition, our specialists’ expertise and market experience, personal service, a broad selection, and international outlook – this is what our clients appreciate about the Dorotheum.

Founded more than 300 years ago, the Dorotheum continues today on its successful course and is enjoying an increase in turnover. Building on its list of international contacts is one of the main focuses of its activities. Some of its most important international offices are in Brussels, Düsseldorf, Munich, Rome and Milan.

Gildings Auctioneers

Online sale catalogs & information. Fine Art, Furniture, Glass, Ceramics, Collectables, Military, Pottery, Jewellery, Toys, Rugs, Carpets, Silver Plate.Office in: Leicester - United Kingdom

Karl & Faber Kunstauktionen

Founded in 1923, the traditional international auction house specialises in Old Masters, 19th Century, Modern and Contemporary art, namely paintings, watercolors, drawings, prints and sculpture.Office in: Munich - Germany

Bali Auction House, Bali Muzayede

Bali Muzayede, Auction House in Turkey. 19th Oriental paintings, Turkish painting, 19th century antique furniture and objects, including silver and ottoman antiques.Office in:Istanbul - Turkey

Troostwijk Auctions and Valuations

Since 1930, Troostwijk Auctions is the leading firm for including successful industrial sales by either private treaty, tender or public (online) auction all over Europe. Office in: Amsterdam - The Netherlands - Europe

Auction House Ruetten

Auctions and sales. Antique & reproduction furniture collectables, paintings prints, silver, porcelain (Meissen etc), ceramics, glasses, fine Carbets, jewellery, fine art.Forstinning - Munich - Germany

Art and money have been at the center of human attention for centuries. Genres and trends have changed, but interest in the mystery of creating great paintings and their sky-high prices is always great. How is the price of a lot determined at an auction? Who determines that “Sewing machine with umbrellas in a surreal landscape” by Salvador Dali today sells for 2 million euros, and “Cathedral Square. Milan” by contemporary artist Gerhard Richter goes under the hammer for 51 million? The best way to experience the world of big money and art is to go to auctions and get first-hand information.

The auction house Sotheby's is one of the oldest. Since its founding in London in 1744, the geography and influence of these trades on the world market have changed significantly. Today, its headquarters are located in New York, with branches scattered around the world, including Paris, Zurich and Toronto. The annual turnover of the house reaches several billion dollars. Sotheby's auctions are free and open to everyone, even if you are not bidding. Most trading takes place during the day, but some start in the evening, in which case you will need a ticket to attend.

Auctions usually take place four times a year in London and New York. Attending such an event is a special and incomparable experience. Here you can see works by your favorite artists and sculptors that cannot be found in museum or gallery collections. Surrounded by the best specialists from the world of trading, you become a witness to the mysteries of buying and selling items from several dozen categories: from ancient art to paintings by contemporary artists.

Today, Sotheby's is recognized by professionals as a leader in the Contemporary Art category, the main sales of which take place annually in May and November in New York and in February and June in London.

Christie's

Another titan in the world of auction business and Sotheby’s main competitor is Christie’s, whose main location also managed to change from London to New York. The activities of both together account for about 90% of the world market for auction sales of antiques and art objects.

Christie's makes over six hundred sales a year, an average of two sales a day. The auctions are held in 80 categories: fine and decorative arts, jewelry, photographs, furniture and interior items and much more. One of the most promising areas of development for Christie's is the permanent Russian department and the prestigious Russian Sales.

The Russian department holds auctions every year in April in New York and in November in London, each time setting new sales records. The latest auction in London, for example, brought in 16.9 million pounds. Like Sotheby's, this auction house sets a minimum price at auction, which gradually increases, and the lot goes to the highest bidder.

Pre-auction exhibitions Sotheby's and Christie's

You can see the works of art that will be sold for millions at two major auctions by visiting exhibitions organized by auction houses before the auction. To increase the number of visitors, they are arranged not only in the main premises of Christie's (Rockefeller Plaza) and Sotheby's (York Avenue), but also brought to the world's largest capitals: Moscow, Tokyo, London and Paris. The highlight of such exhibitions is in the premises chosen by the organizers. It always combines historical value for the residents of a particular country and at the same time is reliable and safe enough for storing expensive lots.

Bonhams

Following the two leaders in sales of world cultural heritage objects, experts usually call the auction house Bonhams. The world's third largest auction house sells across 70 categories, including paintings and cars, musical instruments and home furnishings. Bonhams has branches in the USA, Australia, South Africa and Hong Kong. Such a wide geographical distribution allows this auction house to conduct more than 700 auctions per year around the world. Auctions are held in different cities depending on the specifics of the lots and the category that is being offered for sale.

Dorotheum

In German-speaking countries, the leadership belongs to the Viennese auction house Dorotheum. Over 300 years of existence make it the oldest major auction in the world. The headquarters of this house have not moved anywhere and are still located in Vienna. The only change within the framework of the globalization of the world art market is new representations in some Austrian cities, for example, in Salzburg, as well as in other parts of Europe, for example, in Prague and Milan. Every year, Dorotheum holds about 600 auctions, most of which are daily “auctions without a catalog” at the Dorotheum Palace in the Austrian capital. However, the most important part of the sale is the series of four main auction weeks. It is during them that auctions of rare works of fine art are held - from works of old masters to art nouveau and contemporary art.

Another feature of this house is its own jewelry store, Dorotheuma, which is currently the largest in Austria.

The autumn season has begun at the Sotheby's auction house. Photo by Pavel Terekhov

The Sotheby's auction house was sold out on Thursday evening - Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh and the Soviet founder of abstract art Kazimir Malevich were selling. Among the buyers there were probably billionaires from Russia and other post-Soviet countries. At auctions where old masters and 19th-century European paintings are sold, they traditionally buy about a third of the lots. In the hall, alongside ladies in couture and gentlemen in bow ties, were mere mortals: they are regularly given the opportunity to admire art before it ends up in the collections of the rich and famous.

The Sotheby's auction house in New York has been selling paintings from different eras and movements, jewelry, furniture, collectible wine and even cars for more than 250 years. And the art market is not afraid of either crises or sanctions. Sotheby's earned three billion seven hundred million dollars in the first six months alone; by 2016 the company plans to collect seven billion.

Into the holy of holies of art

It is customary here to greet wealthy clients right from the door. The smiling doorman will definitely say “Welcome to Sotheby’s” and open the door. The girls are already waiting for guests on the first floor. “Please come up to the second floor,” greets the long-legged lady in black. At the registration desk, the visitor receives a special number-plate, which he then raises at the right time during the auction.

The auction takes place in a special hall on the seventh floor, but first there is champagne. The waiters offered “Prosecco”, someone asked about stronger drinks, but there were none. Small talk is a mandatory element of the event.

Some vigorously discuss art news, others gossip about stars. “Woody Allen came yesterday, did you see?” - says the gray-haired man to his friend.

Stars really do come to Sotheby's. Two years ago, pop diva Madonna sold Fernand Léger’s painting “Three Women at a Red Table” here for seven million dollars. And once I bought it for only three. They say that in exchange for Leger, the singer acquired something from the collection of old masters.

International director of Russian art at Sotheby's Jo Vickery specially came to New York from London for Malevich. She introduces the Forum to the auctioneer and host of the evening, Henry Wyndham. “We're starting soon. Hurry up,” he invites.

International director of Russian art at Sotheby's Jo Vickery came to New York for Malevich. Photo by Pavel Terekhov

Van Gogh, Picasso, Malevich

The hall could barely fit all the guests. There were about 250 of them, not counting those who bid online. The audience was varied: ladies in hats, elegant gentlemen in club jackets, and some in casual clothes. Most people are not rich art lovers, but their agents. There are experts who mark the sale price in the catalogue, and even onlookers - mere mortals are also allowed into Sotheby's to admire the art.

More than two hundred people came to the evening auction at Sotheby's in New York. Photo by Pavel Terekhov

Presenter Henry Wyndham resembled a conductor, only instead of a baton he had a hammer in his hands, with which he hit the pulpit. As soon as Henry's baritone voice was heard, deathly silence fell in the hall.

The initial price of each lot was displayed on an electronic board, and the art objects themselves appeared on a rotating carousel. Introduced them impeccable people in black aprons and white gloves. Passions are heating up, prices are serious: five, ten, twelve million dollars. Henry Wyndham asks for a glass of water and jokes: “Think well while I drink.” One of the first intrigues of the evening: the painting “Mystical Suprematism” by the Soviet artist Kazimir Malevich. The starting price for this black cross on a red oval is $35 million. Literally a moment later someone gives half a million more. The auctioneer is not impressed, pauses and says, “I’ll be waiting a long time.” In total, taking into account all taxes, the canvas was purchased for $37.8 million.

Sale of painting by Kazimir Malevich “Mystical Suprematism”. Photo by Pavel Terekhov

Vincent Van Gogh caused more excitement. The bidding lasted more than five minutes. The painting “Landscape Under a Stormy Sky” went for $54 million. The most expensive lot at auction is saved for the end of the auction. The presenter said “Picasso”, the hall became noisy. The painting “Cabaret Singer” was painted by 19-year-old Picasso in Paris. The canvas depicts a naked woman with dark hair. To the average person, the singer would not seem like a very attractive cabaret artist, but the buyers really liked her. A real struggle began for the lot, the auctioneer repeated more than once: “You have the last chance.” The new owner paid $67.5 million for “The Cabaret Singer.”

Russian trace

“The evening was a success,” Jo Vickery summed up for “Forum” in perfect Russian. According to the expert, who learned the language out of love for art, a large number of Russian buyers took part in these auctions. “It wasn’t even a big surprise for us. We know about the economic and political situation in Russia, but Russians are still big collectors and love to collect art,” Vickery added.

After the auction, the buyers quickly went home in high spirits. In total, for these trades they spent$726 million.

Many buyers do not come to the auction themselves, but trade for works of art through representatives. Photo by Pavel Terekhov

At Sotheby's it is not customary to tell who bought the works of art and where they will end up. Buyers often become not only millionaires, but also museums, however, Russian buyers are private individuals, Vickery notes.

That evening, the collection of the former head of the auction house was also sold -Alfred Taubman . His biography is worthy of a book. The billionaire made a fortune in real estate, but in 2001 he went to prison for conspiring with another auction house, Christie's, and defrauding clients. After ten months of imprisonment, he resigned, and in April of this year he died after a long illness. The collection, which includes Albrecht Durer, Raphael, Pablo Picasso, Amadeo Modigliani and Jasper Johns, began to be sold by the heirs. Buyers have already shown interest in it.

“ And I think that Russians will take first place on this list and will be interested in such works,” Mikhail Kamensky, general director of the Russian representative office of Sotheby’s, shares his forecasts.

Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov was spotted at auctions in the past. In September 2007, on the eve of the auction, he bought from Sotheby’s the collection of Russian art of the famous musician Mstislav Rostropovich and his wife, opera singer Galina Vishnevskaya. The collection of paintings, porcelain and silver was going to be sold for $30 million, but Usmanov paid twice as much just to have the collection returned to Russia. The billionaire presented it to the Konstantinovsky Palace in St. Petersburg. How often Alisher Usmanov participates in auctions is unknown. “Forum” contacted the billionaire, but at the time of publication of the article we had not received a response.

Another Russian-speaking connoisseur of world masterpieces is Kazakh businessman Nurlan Smagulov. This year, Smagulov purchased from Sotheby’s the bas-relief “Women with a Parrot” by the French sculptor Fernand Léger. The price is not known exactly, but we are talking about several million dollars. Many Russian buyers participate in auctions through foreign companies so as not to expose their name to the whole world, explains Kamensky.

“ Russians are the clear favorites among buyers. These are mainly private collectors who live between Russia and the West. We don't see any crisis today. Maybe millionaires won’t bargain so hard,” comments a Sotheby’s representative in Russia.

General Director of the Russian representative office of Sotheby's Mikhail Kamensky is confident that, despite the crisis, Russian buyers will always participate in auctions. Photo from personal archive

Buyers and onlookers: who comes to the auction

Anyone can enter the auction at Sotheby's for free by presentingidentification . The company website hascalendar of events , auctions are held several times a month. As a spectator, you can freely attend the morning or lunch auctions; in the evening, the number of seats is limited, and preference is given to buyers. But there are times when places remain, so everyone has a chance to get in; you just need to call Sotheby’s and ask about the availability of free tickets.

Brooklyn resident Oksana Ganzhara has been visiting the Sotheby's auction house for the third year in a row. Photo from personal archive

Oksana Ganzhara from Brooklyn does this regularly. “Friends are already joking, saying that you have become a millionaire,” Oksana says with a smile. She loves art, especially impressionist and modernist paintings, as well as wine collections. “To see how people calmly throw away millions! It’s just cool to look at these auctions in reality,” Oksana shares her impressions. This year, the New York resident has already attended the auction and watched several pre-auction exhibitions. “You can come to Sotheby’s just like going to a museum, I’ve already invited my friends here. And take a photo with Picasso’s masterpiece, is this possible anywhere else?” – Oksana rejoices.

But Sotheby's, naturally, relies primarily on wealthy buyers, for whom there is a special department.

A few months before the start of trading, his employees call their regular clients and send out invitations. For some, they organize arrival, meeting at the airport, hotel accommodation and individual excursions.

A mandatory part of the program is pre-auction parties for a select few. Clients can view the lot they are interested in before bidding and make sure they make the right choice. “However, anyone can become a potential buyer at the auction. You need to register on the Sotheby’s website,” says Mikhail Kamensky.

Among the formalities is an extract frombank account . All information is available on Russian language . Requirements for the available amount vary.“ This, of course, depends on what the client intends to purchase,” notes Mikhail Kamensky.

The auction house maintains confidentiality; names are disclosed only at the request of the buyers themselves.

How the auction works

Sotheby's offers all kinds of assistance to art sellers:Before the auction, he spends several months creating a catalogue, selecting photographs and organizing exhibitions. If desired, the auction house staff can develop an advertising strategy and promote the collection, organize inspection, storage and transportation.

The auction house loves its clients so much that it buys the lot itself if no one buys the item at the agreed price. Joe Vickery notes that for the convenience of clients, even in the Sotheby's building itself, everything is thought out to the smallest detail. “We have very good lot storage here. You see high doors. They were installed for huge paintings,” she shows. The building has an alarm system, and any movement is recorded by microscopic cameras. Guests don't notice them.

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