Wondering what to do this weekend in Moscow? Here is a thought: visit the 33rd Russian Antique Salon at the Central House of the Artist on Krymsky Val (Oktyabrskaya or Park Kultury metro stations). 250 participants from Russia, with complementary exhibits from James Butterwick (London) and Santa Lukas Gallery (Tallinn) present and sell items from collections and stores.
A special project located in the central zone on Floor 2 is dedicated to German painters of the late Gothic period (late 15th-first half of 16th cc.): the Kranach family, their predecessors and contemporaries. Items from this exhibition cannot be purchased but for all visitors, especially fans of late Gothic art, this is rare treat. All paintings come from the private collections in Moscow. According the project curator, Prof. V. Sadkov, due to the antiquarians' habits of the Golden Age of Russian collection-making the painters of the so-called Northern Renaissance, including Albrecht Duerer and Martin Schongauer, are barely represented at the Hermitage and the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts. The collectors of the 18th c. were more after the Italian and French medieval and Renaissance art, while the German was hardly appreciated. For the length of the Salon the exhibition of these German artists, among them - Schwabian painters will be the third largest collection of German painters of the turn of the 15-16th cc. in Russia.
In addition to this purely contemplative part of the Salon, a spellbinding selection of furniture, paintings, silverware, jewellery, and antiques are there to find their owner. This is especially relevant for those looking to find an exclusive gift for a Russia-based business partner. First edition of Joseph Brodsky's second collection of verses, 19th c. Russian books, contemporary editions of descriptions of coronations of Elizabeth I (18th c.) and Alexander III (19th c.), illustrated 19th c. "guides" to Siberia, enamel boxes, Chinese and Japanese vases, antique candelabra, silverware and cutlery, not to mention numerous paintings mainly from 19th-first half of 20th c. - this is but a sketchy list of what fills the maze-like halls on floors 2 and 3 of the Central House of the Artist.
As part of the Salon there will also be two round-tables, one dedicated to business and art of antique collecting, another - to the process and pitfalls of art estimation. The latter event will discuss legal aspects of art dealership. Currently the export of art objects from Russia is not allowed, and although this may change, there are already aspects that experts and amateurs alike need to be aware of.
The Antique Salon remains open until October 28, 2012.
We are grateful to PR manager of Expo-Park for inviting us to their press-conference and Antique Salon preview.
All photos are by the author of the article.
Author: Julia Shuvalova