Ilya Repin's masterpiece went under the hammer at an astronomical price

In the first session of the auction of Russian art at Christie's in London, masterpiece of Ilya Repin's "Parisian cafe" was sold for ? 4,521,250 ($ 7,383,201). The canvas has broken the record price of paintings sold in the Russian trade by international auction houses. Set a new record price of works by Ilya Repin at auction.

Written in the 1875 painting "Parisian cafe" was exhibited at the Paris Salon, and its reproductions are quite common in the books dedicated to the works of Repin. The work was acquired in 1916, great-grandfather of the present owner, who was personally acquainted with the artist. Since painting first appeared on the market. The struggle for the lot was carried out between the two buyers out of the hall and one customer on the phone. The result was a winning bid by telephone buyer, who wished to remain anonymous.

In addition, the auction has been broken the previous record ($ 48.812), works by Ilya Repin on paper. A new record value of ? 109,250 ($ 178,405) was installed at the picture, "Sketch for" Paris Cafe ": standing, Mr. Jean-Leon Gerome." Three separate drawings for the "Paris Cafe" in total went under the hammer for ? 187,750 ($ 306,595). A separate album, consisting of about 120 drawings, was sold for ? 253,250 ($ 178,405).