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.

Any conversation about the significance of Oskar Rabin's work gets bogged down with politics after a while. Of course it does. After all, his fate is the brightest argument in the eternal dispute about the role of personality in history. There is a hypothesis that in the logic of historical development, a specific figure, a specific person is not so important. They say that predefined historical scenarios are implemented under any circumstances. And if there are objective contradictions, the leaders will inevitably appear. But judge for yourself...

A small, awkward man squints from the numerous photographs that have survived. He began to lose sight while still in school. From the age of thirty he was already regularly in psychiatric hospitals. For the last thirty years of his 64, Yakovlev was almost blind by the standards of ordinary people. Books that he loved very much, friends read aloud to him, he himself could not. For a long time he even redrawn his own surname for signing from the sample so that it came out without errors. No workshop, no apartment of his own. Constantly under the care of caring people.

This time we decided to avoid global generalizations and loud claims to “totals”, “results”, “turnovers”, “volumes”, “statistics”. First of all, we will formulate our own observations made in real trade, “on the ground”, at the forefront of the art market. And here's what we specifically noticed in the dashing 2020:

It's supposed to be good all at once. The artist is first rate. The works are still available on the market. Prices — for any wallet: from 30,000 to 800,000 rubles. The paintings are recognizable, spectacular, interior, not only eye-catching, but drawing attention to themselves. Seemingly ideal conditions for the start of the collection. But nevertheless with Sveshnikov collecting usually does not start.

The tips and list of names in this article are addressed to novice collectors and investors who are at a crossroads. But not to immediately rush to buy on the list — no. This is information for reflection, a set of ideas, a range of possibilities, a private view of the ArtSale.info auction specialists. The meaning of the recommendations listed below is to protect novice collectors and investors from completely spontaneous haphazard purchases, and obviously illiquid things. So that later, when you have already decided on your own direction of collecting, the excess could be sold.

What underestimated artists are worth investing in right now, at a time of intensifying crisis? The works of which authors are cheap today, and in a few years will greatly increase in price? New visitors to the ArtSale.info auction and viewers of our YouTube channel regularly ask for specifics. So that without “water”, without lengthy reasoning, but list by name.

And the specifics will be presented further. But not at once.

There are basic criteria for investment security — authenticity and name. But why, then, when choosing a picture, experienced buyers ask the year and pay close attention to the plot? What difference does it make to them?

And there is a difference. Yes, and what!

Let's look at some examples.

If you are thinking about paintings, you are already lost. Collecting and investing in art purchases is an incredibly interesting world. Addictive. This is not just a bet to win, but a continuous intellectual quiz. But the art market is very different from the real estate or securities markets. I have never heard of fake apartments or promotions that have one or two buyers. But with pictures it happens in different ways.

Online bidders must have noticed that in the description of some lots there is the phrase “Verbal confirmation of such-and-such expert” or “Verbal confirmation of the artist's widow”. In what cases and why is it written?

I explain.

Verbal confirmation means that the authenticity of the work has been verified, but an official expert opinion (paper with signature and seal) has not been issued at the time of sale. And it is recommended to do this to the buyer immediately after purchase.