Vladimir Nikolaevich Nemukhin (1925–2016) is the most important figure in the history of unofficial post-war art. Member of the “Lianozovo group”. Friend and associate of Oscar Rabin. Participant of the Bulldozer exhibition in 1974 and the historical exhibition in the pavilion “Beekeeping” at the VDNKh in 1975. He exhibited at the City Graphics Committee on Malaya Gruzinskaya 28 as part of the group “Seven Artists” — together with his friends Krasnopevtsev, Vechtomov, Plavinsky, Kalinin, Kharitonov and others.

The artist, who lived 90 years, managed to do phenomenally much. In addition to his good memory, Vladimir Nemukhin left behind thousands of works, including hundreds of paintings. During his lifetime there were his retrospective exhibitions in the leading museums of the country. And, more importantly, Nemukhin managed to edit and publish several album-catalogues, which today remain the most important reference points for collectors and experts.

If you look through Nemukhin's albums, you get the impression that this is a hardened formalist with a broad scope ranging from constructivism to conceptualism. After all, what is everyone's first association with Nemukhin? Yes: rectangles of playing cards, strict geometric compositions, circles, rectangles, lines, the first forms of Suprematism and conceptual jacks. But those who communicated with the artist more closely will say that his creative psychotype was more of an impressionist. In particular, his all-pervasive playing cards have nothing to do with mysticism, symbolism or even more to the glorification of the game. Nemukhin was not a gambler, and cards were more of a romantic image for him. Initially it was a vivid impression of a deck scattered in the water, which he saw while strolling along the bank of the Oka. It had probably been blown away by the wind from a picnic of some midnight revelers. It would seem to be a mundane moment. But it turned out that nature has given the artist a beautiful and deeply philosophical story. Nemukhin for a long time could not tear himself away from the helplessly lying in the water drowned cards, which subsequently became a loyal companion to his art for life. In addition to cards, Nemukhin has many such images-impressions-symbols. In particular, the red circle in the center of the famous “Super Elephants” is not directly related to Malevich and Chashnik. In fact, the red circle is an impression of the setting sun in one of the paintings of Julius Klever, which Nemukhin saw on a visit to friends. Another example is the skins with the cards. Many assume it is a golden fleece. In fact, the trigger for the creation of the famous series really was the impression of a skin thrown on the floor. But not a lamb's, but a bear's. And not in Colchis, but a little to the side. However, this is again lyricism.

And it's time to invest.

So, what to pay attention to first of all? Of those available on the market, in descending order of investment attractiveness:

1. Masterpieces — are large-format (from one meter and up) paintings on particularly sought-after subjects: super elephant, skins, lomber tables, compositions with cards, etc. Historically, these have always been exclusive, usually offered only “for their own”. But they also occasionally appear on the auction market. The price point for Nemukhin's striking works is $ 12,000–35,000. In particular, a large pictorial “Super Elephant” from the 2000s or “Lomber Table” from the 1990s can cost from $ 15,000. And we should keep in mind that it is such high-end works that have the highest investment potential.
   
   
    
2. Pictorial “sturdy Nemukhin”. This is a meme beloved by our viewers about good painting and mixed technique medium size (70 × 70 —50 × 50) from famous cycles. “Jack of Diamonds”, “Jack of Chagall”, “Photo Atelier”, “Retro”, “Jack of Vladimir Mayakovsky” and others. Nemukhin worked in series. Usually there was a reference subject, a source, and then he made a few paintings based on it. All different sizes, different colors, with variations of the plot, but recognizable. Many (but not all) sources are published in the catalog “Vladimir NEMUKHIN”. They were selected for the book by the artist himself. “Sturdy Nemukhins» from the late 1990s through the 2000s are priced in the $ 5,000–8,000 range on the auction market. While there is a choice, but it is already noticeable that the offer is narrowing. If you like it, don't put it off.
   
   
    
3. Sculptures. Some very knowledgeable people appreciate Nemukhin primarily as an outstanding sculptor. And this opinion definitely deserves attention. His dedications to Krasnopevtsev, Steinberg, the teacher Sokolov, the tin key are simply masterpieces of sculptural postmodernism. In sculpture Nemukhin also worked in circulation, there is a sea of nuances, which would be enough for a separate article. But to put it very crudely, the prices are as follows. The elaborate wooden sculptures sell in the 450,000–550,000 rubles ($ 6,000–7,500) range. Bronze ones are around 600,000–700,000 rubles ($ 8,000–9,300). The bronzes, perhaps, have a higher investment potential. However, it is comparable. Separately we can note compositionally simpler wooden sculptures with an original signature, which can be purchased from 100,000 rubles.
   
   
    
4. Original graphics, drawings by Nemukhin. For Nemukhin's large finished drawings, the price point is 100,000–200,000 rubles. I consider well-developed sketches of sculptures, figurative pencil drawings of the 1960s, etc., to be finished. A bit more expensive are exclusive early works such as abstract graphics from the 1950s. This is an interesting, important topic. But it's very connoisseurial, not for the general public. This should be taken into account as a limitation for investment appeal.
   
   
    
5. Circulation graphics and ceramics. The investment potential of circulation graphics is limited. It's the perfect gift. It is an ideal affordable format for home decoration. But don't expect dramatic price increases in the circulation segment.
   
   Large prints with original signatures, printed in runs of around 50 copies, are selling today at around 30,000 rubles per sheet. Separately, there are low-run textured collages, which look very similar to the original, with applique elements and print runs of 10–20 pieces. Such works cost in the region of 80,000 rubles.
   
   Nemukhin plates are among the most popular on the market. The benchmark for them is 50,000 rubles. But that is precisely the benchmark. There are a great many nuances of plates. A hand-painted prototype (which was then used to make a print run) can cost anything from 100,000 rubles. And a large-circulation tea pair with constructivist ornamentation is in the region of 30,000 rubles.
   
   
   
   

What do I think of the investment potential?

This is a case where you can talk about it quite confidently. Vladimir Nemukhin is one of the most reliable and promising options for investment in general. He is one of the rare sixties who left behind a well-developed market of work. The market is large, but without excesses, distortions, with clear prices. And, most importantly, with caring people who care about the artist's legacy. And it cannot help but bear fruit. We regularly observe with our own eyes how new collectors literally fall in love with Nemukhin's works at first sight. I say without exaggeration. New people who yesterday did not know anything about him, suddenly stacked with books and start buying. And that is the most reliable basis for investment potential. It's the kind of market that you can be safe about.

And I want to finish with the traditional “Carthage must be destroyed” admonition. You don't have to select works for the budget. You shouldn't buy on the principle of “I can see better, but I only have enough money for this”. On the contrary. From the point of view of investment, it is better to accumulate resources and catch high quality work. Let one, but the best of what in principle you can afford. You won't regret it.

Vladimir Bogdanov, specialist of ArtSale.info auction

Watch a video review of investing in the works of Vladimir Nemukhin on our YouTube channel: