Mr. Yu, when you bought this bronze sculpture, did you not know its origin? Neil asked in surprise.
Princess Alice also asked Yu Fei this question. She knew that Yu Fei knew nothing about it and was not even much better than herself. She quickly looked at Yu Fei, hoping that he would cover it up to avoid being laughed at by Neil.
Yu Fei felt embarrassed for a while, and after thinking for a while, he said truthfully: To tell you the truth, I don't know much about European art, and I really don't know the origin of this bronze sculpture. I bought it just because it was from
I felt a sad resonance in it.
Yu Fei's admission that he did not understand the bronze sculpture not only did not arouse Neil's contempt, but made him admire him even more.
You are the most outstanding collector I have ever seen, Neil said.
After hearing his words, Alice's expression changed. She thought Neil was laughing at Yu Fei.
But Neil's next words made Alice understand that he was not laughing at Yu Fei, but expressing his true feelings.
Ordinary people collect experience, knowledge, and vision, but Mr. Yu collects inner feelings. Neil said seriously. He didn’t know the secret of Yu Fei’s Qi, and he didn’t know the origin of this bronze sculpture.
If you are willing to buy from him, it seems to him that you have truly understood the spirit and art of sculpture, which is much better than most collectors.
Neil's words made Yu Fei a little embarrassed.
Neil, you haven't said anything about the origin of the bronze sculpture.
Your Highness, I was too excited just now, please forgive me. Neil bowed slightly and said embarrassedly.
If I'm not mistaken, this bronze sculpture should be by the Swiss artist Giacometti, Neil said excitedly.
Giacometti Yu Fei said doubtfully that this name was too unfamiliar to him.
But when she heard the name, Princess Alice almost jumped up in surprise.
Seeing Yu Fei's doubts, Princess Alice explained: Giacometti is a Swiss master of surreal and existential sculpture and painter. His sculptures, paintings and sketches are all derived from his unique views on human figures and reflect
The weakness and vulnerability of human beings in the 20th century. His sculptures present typical characteristics: thin, thin, noble and trembling poetic temperament. They reflect the fear and loneliness that commonly exist in people's psychology after the Second World War. It is a
A very great art master
Oh, then it seems that this bronze sculpture is still worth some money. Yu Fei muttered softly.
"What did you say?" Princess Alice asked.
Ah Yufei raised his voice and said: I say, he is really an amazing artist.
Yes. Neil said: There are rich visual and philosophical sources in his works. He is strongly driven to capture the fleeting illusions felt in the external world and the need to fully reflect the human image.
This sculpture should be considered Giacometti's masterpiece.
It’s still a masterpiece
Both Yu Fei and Princess Alice were surprised.
You must know that the significance of masterpieces is extraordinary. The works of the same person. Representative works are much higher than ordinary works in terms of artistic value and economic value. For example, Qi Baishi's works when he was young and when he was at his creative peak
The value of representative works is very different. Huang Binhong's landscape paintings are also more valuable than flower-and-bird paintings.
Mr. Yu, can you tell me how much you paid for this bronze sculpture by Giacometti? Unknowingly, Neil had already used honorifics.
Yu Fei was in a dilemma for a while. Justin, the owner of the sculpture shop, originally wanted to give it to him for free. But with his insistence, he bought it for one pound. If he told Neil the real situation directly, he would probably suffer.
No.
Mr. McGregor, I would like to know the approximate price of this bronze sculpture if it is handed over to an auction company. Yu Fei thought about it and asked.
Neil asked very surprised that you want to transfer such a precious work of art. Generally speaking, collectors cherish their collections, especially precious works of art, and will not transfer them unless absolutely necessary.
I just want to understand the market conditions, Yu Fei said.
Neil nodded and expressed understanding, then thought for a while and said: The value of Giacometti's works has increased very rapidly in recent years, especially after his death in 1966, because it has been loved by collectors in the Middle East and Russia.
, often fetching very high prices. You know these two places are fertile ground for rich people.
Neil smiled bitterly. Indeed, as he said, the richest people in the Middle East and Russia are the most wealthy. They spend money like water. It is not an exaggeration to describe them as spending money like water.
Although this bronze sculpture is unknown, it is indeed a rare treasure of Giacometti. Therefore, I estimate that the auction price should not be less than 25 million pounds. Neil said in shocking words.
Yu Fei almost didn't believe his ears when you said it was 25 million pounds. If converted into RMB, that would be 250 million pounds. Darling, this copper pimple is actually more valuable than the large blue and white jar of Guigu Xiashan Tuyuan.
25 million pounds is only a conservative estimate, and the actual auction price is expected to exceed this figure. Neil said: But I think the artistic value of this bronze sculpture is much higher than the economic value.
Yu Fei took a breath of air, grandma, this time she found a treasure.
Mr. McGregor, are you kidding? Yu Fei said.
It was very impolite for Yu Fei to question Neil in person, but Neil could understand Yu Fei's mood. At the same time, he also guessed that the price Yu Fei paid for acquiring this bronze sculpture should not be high.
Mr. Yu, I guarantee on my reputation that I am not joking. Neil said seriously.
Yu, in your Chinese terms, you got a bargain again this time. Princess Alice said with a smile. Although 25 million pounds is not a small amount, Princess Alice still took it calmly. At the same time, she was also very happy for Yu Fei,
After all, this is a big fortune for anyone. I never expected that Yu Fei would gain such a harvest when he reviewed the memories of his first acquaintance.
That's called picking up leaks, Yu Fei corrected.
Now Mr. Yu, can you tell me your purchase price? Mr. McGregor said.
Of course. Yu Fei nodded and said: In fact, this price is indeed beyond imagination.
I can guess it, Neil said. Yu Fei's expression and reaction just now said everything.
Yu Fei stretched out a finger.
10 million pounds Neil guessed: It is not possible to spend 10 million pounds in the Bermondsey market. Such a situation is too rare.
Of course. Yu Fei smiled and said: As you said, I am not such a wealthy person.
One million pounds, Neil guessed again. This is also a price he thinks is more appropriate.
Mr. Yu, as Her Royal Highness the Princess said, you have indeed built a very big bargain. Neil said with a smile.
But Yu Fei shook his head again.
Neil showed a confused expression: Could it be one hundred thousand pounds? Oh my God, if that's the case, your income would be an astonishing over 250%.
Dear Mr. McGregor, two hundred and fifty is not a very good number in China. Yu Fei denied it again.
Mr. Yu, you don't mean ten thousand pounds, do you? Neil touched his forehead: This is too crazy, too crazy, how come such a good thing cannot happen to me? It seems that I have to go to Bermondsey Market too.
It was a great trip.
Neil's words made both Yu Fei and Alice laugh, and Yu Fei was proud to have the dignified curator of the British Museum show such an expression.
But Yu Fei shook his head again.
Mr. Yu, are you teasing me? Neil said.
Neil, you misunderstood. Yu is not teasing you, the price is really amazing, Princess Alice said.
Oh my God, it can't be a pound, right? Neil thought he told a funny joke, but neither Yu Fei nor Princess Alice laughed.
Neil's smile slowly froze on his face, his voice became depressed and hoarse, and he stared straight at Yu Fei and asked: Is this true?
Yu Fei smiled bitterly and shook his head and said: I really want to say no, but it is true.
Neil fell down on the chair with dull eyes. Seeing his expression, Yu Fei really couldn't bear it.
In fact, Giacometti's bronze sculpture, later named The Walking Man, was auctioned for more than 65 million pounds, or more than 800 million yuan, surpassing Picasso's famous painting and becoming the most expensive art.