London’s Turbulent Russian Market

Simon Hewitt | ARTDEPENDENCE | 1st July 2019

Dizzying auction prices obscure the reality that markets are social, that is human, institutions. Take, for example, London’s low profile and low-priced Russian art auctions. “The lead-in is … a Friday evening party held at Shapero Rare Books, opposite Sotheby’s. Christie’s, on Saturday night, have the best cocktails; MacDougall’s, on Sunday, the best music … Bonhams stood out – by hiring the London Russian Ballet School to perform dances”.