Anastasia Postrigai, a columnist and art expert, shares her insights into the world of collecting beyond the realm of contemporary art. While contemporary art has been dominating the media lately, there are numerous other interesting areas within collecting. Postrigai recently had the opportunity to explore a collection belonging to a scientist, which included a wide range of objects from ancient fossils to art from Ancient Rome, Ancient Greece, the Middle Ages, as well as works by realistic artists from the second half of the 20th century and contemporary artists.
It might not be obvious, but it is possible to become the owner of a small antique or medieval wooden sculpture at an affordable price. These treasures can be found at auctions and antique shops. For example, with a budget of 3.5-4 million rubles, it is possible to purchase such a sculpture or a work by contemporary artist Pavel Pepperstein. In The Hague, the Mauritshuis gallery houses Johannes Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring", and in your own living room, you could have a work by one of his contemporaries.
In the world of collecting, there is a special segment known as "artists from the textbook." These are the artists featured in Russian elementary school textbooks, such as Ivan Shishkin, Isaac Levitan, and Alexei Savrasov. These popular artists are highly valued, but if you cannot afford their works, it does not mean you have to give up collecting. There are many high-quality works by lesser-known artists from the same time period.
Collecting art allows you to immerse yourself in different eras. It can involve collecting works by Russian avant-garde artists, Russian artists from abroad, or artworks from specific decades, such as the 70s, 80s, or 90s. The key is to find your niche and create a collection that reflects your interests and preferences.
While there are risks and challenges in the art market, starting with an art consultant can help navigate these obstacles. With proper research and guidance, anyone can begin their own collection, regardless of their budget or level of expertise.
