Needless to say, the Louvre in Paris is one of the oldest, largest, and most famous museums in the world. It can be compared with the Forbidden City in China.
The collection of the Louvre is the best of any museum in the world, including the "Venus" statue, which is known as the world's three treasures, the "Mona Lisa" oil painting and the "Goddess of Victory" stone sculpture.
Needless to say, Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" has broken away from the category of art and has become a household name. I'm afraid even children as young as three or five have heard of Mona Lisa's name.
The charming dream-like smile is called a "mysterious smile" by many art historians.
"Venus Milos" is also a well-known goddess statue in the world. Since it was discovered in February 1820 next to the ruins of an ancient tomb on the Greek island of Milos in the Aegean Sea, this half-naked marble statue with incomplete arms has become known for its unique charm.
Shocked the world.
The entire statue is two meters high, with a handsome face and a well-proportioned figure. The clothes fall down to the hips. Although the right arm is missing, it still shows the unique curvy beauty of women, making it appear dignified and charming. After being bought with a lot of money from France, it is displayed in a special place in the Louvre.
In the exhibition room, from then on, "Venus Broken Arm" became famous in the world and became a symbol of love and beauty.
As for the stone sculpture of "The Goddess of Victory", the French sculptor Rodin once praised: "This is simply a real muscle. You can feel the body temperature when you touch her!"
With these three world-famous works of art, the status of the Louvre is almost unbeatable.
From ancient Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan and Roman art to art from Eastern countries, there are sculptures from the Middle Ages to modern times, as well as an astonishing number of royal treasures and fine paintings, etc. So far, Lu
The Floating Palace has become a world-famous art palace.
If we simply talk about the number of collections, the Forbidden City can be compared with it, but when it comes to the countries and regions covered by the collections, I am afraid there is no museum in the world that can compare with the Louvre.
According to statistics, the Louvre Palace currently houses more than 400,000 art treasures from all over the world.
The French display these art treasures in six major exhibition halls according to their place of origin and type, namely the Oriental Art Museum, the Ancient Greek and Roman Art Museum, the Ancient Egyptian Art Museum, the Treasures Museum, the Painting Gallery and the Sculpture Gallery.
In the early days, most of the Louvre's collections were donated by private individuals.
Most of the Oriental artworks were donated by the French invaders. Frey has donated Chinese antiques from the Old Summer Palace to the Louvre and the Guimet Museum many times. That's why Huangfu Yun reminded Zhuang Rui such a sentence.
.
The Louvre once handed over all the rare antiques from the entire Asian department to the Guimet Museum. It is conceivable how rich the collection of the Guimet Museum will be.
"Mr. Zhuang, there is no doubt that these twelve sketches of yours are all works of Mr. Picasso, and they are all authentic..."
At this time, Bass and the appraiser also completed the appraisal of these sketches. Regardless of the age of the paper or the painting style, these works were undoubtedly made by Picasso, not to mention that there were three sketches with...
Picasso's autograph.
"Huangfu once told me that Mr. Zhuang wanted to use these Picasso works in exchange for some Chinese cultural relics in our collection. I wonder if Mr. Zhuang has any works that he likes. We might as well negotiate..."
Bass's words are still going on. His Guimet Museum is not comparable to the Louvre. It itself has Picasso's works, so Bass came here with sincerity this time. He really wants to sell these Picassos in Zhuang Rui's hands.
sketch, exchange it.
"Mr. Bass, I haven't visited your museum yet, but I have heard that your museum has the richest Chinese collection. I think what is on display now is just the tip of the iceberg, right?"
Zhuang Rui lied here, first touting Bass's collection, and then continued: "Mr. Picasso's works are loved by people all over the world. It is not difficult for Mr. Bass to own these works, but he must
Only by producing corresponding works of art can we have the possibility of cooperation..."
"Corresponding works of art? Mr. Zhuang, you must know that the cultural relics from Asia in our collection have a long history and are extremely precious. I think you can go and select them first..."
Although Zhuang Rui is decades younger than Bass, Bass still uses honorifics when talking to Zhuang Rui. There is no way, in the art transaction in the seller's market, the one with the goods is the dominant one.
square.
"Choose?"
Zhuang Rui pondered for a moment and then said: "Mr. Bass, if possible, I would like to first take a look at the catalog of exchange items received by the Louvre Museum in 1945, as well as some Chinese items that Frey gave to the Guimet Museum that year.
Can you take a look at the cultural relics?"
In China more than 100 years ago, the most valuable antiques were hidden in the Old Summer Palace by the braided emperors. Compared with the Chinese antiques donated by the adventurers of the Guimei Museum, they were more valuable, so Zhuang Rui got straight to the point.
was brought up.
"Okay, if Mr. Zhuang has time, you can go to the Jimei Museum in the afternoon, and I will show you the information..."
Bass Guimet hesitated for a moment, then nodded and agreed. Since he decided to include these Picasso works in the Guimet Museum, he must pay a corresponding price. Bass did not think that Zhuang Rui could be fooled because he was relatively young.
past.
"Afternoon, okay, then in the afternoon, Mr. Bass, can I invite you to have a meal with me at noon?"
Zhuang Rui nodded in agreement and extended an invitation to Bass Guimet. Although everyone in France drinks red wine, after a few glasses of wine, the relationship will be closer. Maybe the old guy in front of him will be happy.
Then I can give myself something more.
After hearing what Zhuang Rui said, Basi spread his hands regretfully and said with a smile: "Zhuang, although I really want to have lunch with you and this beautiful lady, unfortunately, I have to go back now.
The documents have been sorted out. You have to know that some files have not been touched for decades..."
Perhaps the Chinese artworks donated by Frey and others are priceless treasures in Zhuang Rui's eyes, but for the Bath and Guimet Museums, those things are not taken seriously. The artworks placed in the exhibition room of the Guimet Museum,
Not even one-tenth of what is in the warehouse.
Moreover, Bass also knew that there are many antiques from China that have been kept in a shelf in the Guimet Museum. Not to mention the antiques hidden deep in the warehouse, even those antique catalogs may take a while to find.
"Okay, Mr. Bass, I will visit you on time at 2 o'clock in the afternoon..."
When Zhuang Rui heard that it was serious business, he didn't force himself. He stood up and sent Bass and the appraiser out the door.
Turning around, Zhuang Rui looked at Huangfu Yun and said, "Brother Huangfu, will you come with me this afternoon?"
"Nonsense, you guys don't want to tear down the river and destroy the bridge. I also want to see the collection of the Guimei Museum..."
Huangfu Yun glared at Zhuang Rui angrily. In several European countries, except for the British Museum and a few other museums, there are probably few places with more Chinese antiques than the Guimei Museum. Even if they cannot be compared
It’s an opportunity to have it in your pocket and go take a look.
At noon, after Zhuang Rui was slaughtered by Huangfu Yun for a French meal, he took a short rest in the hotel and got into the car arranged by the hotel. Together with Qin Xuanbing and Huangfu Yun, they headed towards the Guimet Museum.
As for Peng Fei, he stayed in the hotel room obediently, guarding those priceless Picasso sketches. These things could be a magic weapon for Zhuang Rui to negotiate with foreign collectors, and there was no room for any surprises.
"Mr. Zhuang, welcome..."
Bass, who received the call in advance, was already waiting at the entrance of the museum. This time he entered the Guimet Museum and saved the 8 pounds ticket price. Under the leadership of Bass, Zhuang Rui and his party entered the office on the second floor of the museum.
inside.
Bass's office is about seventy or eighty square meters, and there is a small reception room at the door. At this time, Zhuang Rui and others were sitting on the sofa in the reception room, looking at the furnishings in the curator's office.
"Damn, it's really a luxury..."
With Zhuang Rui's eyesight, he can naturally see that all the antiques on the shelves are genuine. There are Egyptian pharaoh wood carvings inlaid with gems, bronze Buddha statues from Thailand, precious blankets from Persia, and of course, China
of porcelain.
Seeing these things made Zhuang Rui feel hot all over, wishing he could transform into Spider-Man at night and put all these items in his bag.
"Mr. Bass, let's first see if there are any works of art in your museum that I like..."
After taking a cursory look at the furnishings in the office, a female secretary with a hot figure came in and asked what they wanted to drink. After Zhuang Rui casually ordered a cup of coffee, he made a request directly to Bass.
Thinking about the precious cultural relics that were snatched away a hundred years ago, Zhuang Rui felt somewhat excited at this moment.
In that catastrophe a hundred years ago, it was impossible to count clearly how many precious antiques were plundered abroad. At this time, we can see the faces of Zhuang Rui and Huangfu Yun, those national treasure-level cultural relics that only exist in the collection records.
Everyone couldn't help but show excitement.
"Okay, Mr. Zhuang, this is all the information about the donations from the Frei family in France, including the original information such as the decree signed by the French president at the time to accept the gift on behalf of the country. They are all here..."
After Bass heard Zhuang Rui's words, he picked up a large sealed kraft paper envelope from his desk.
Zhuang Rui discovered that there was the same envelope placed on top of the desk. It must be from the collection of the Asian Department of the Louvre.
