Achi news desk-
iN 1989 LARRY GAGOSIAN, who has now become the world’s most powerful art dealer, was asked if there was anything he would like to see change in the art market. “That’s like asking Dante what he would change about the structure of Hell,” he replied, suggesting, rather devilishly, that the way things were suited him.
It’s an imperfect metaphor. Hell is much easier to access – and understand – than the art world. Secret but gossipy, fluid but always negotiable, art is an industry that remains mysterious even to its active participants. Earlier this year the insanity was exposed in an American court after Dmitry Rybolovlev, a Russian billionaire, sued Sotheby’s for fraud, claiming the auctioneer knew a Swiss art adviser was fleeceing him whenever he bought masterpieces. . He lost – these days juries are not particularly sympathetic to Russian oligarchs – but the case highlighted the often opaque practices of art wheel dealers.
Adblock Test (Why?)
Source link
The post True tales of secrecy, opacity and outright thievery in art – The Economist appeared first on Canada News Media.
