Most Expensive Russian Painting Fetches $12 Million at Auction in London
A 1931 painting by Russian artist and philosopher Nikolai Roerich has become the most expensive Russian painting ever after it fetched £7.9 million (equivalent to approx. $12 million) at an auction at Bonham’s in London on Wednesday. It is a Madonna Laboris which is part of a series of works depicting the Great Female Deities of the World. Roerich was spiritually obsessed and it resulted in this masterpiece. For a long time, the painting was believed to have been lost until it was rediscovered in a private collection in the US. Yelena Harbick, director of Russian Art at Bonham’s considered it a significant work of art and was confident that it will attract the interest of international collectors. The Market for Russian Art has Grown Rapidly in the Last Decade The painting was definitely the highlight of the day at the auctions and was acquired by an unnamed telephone bidder for a record price. The dominant color in the painting is blue as it shows Virgin Mary inside the b...
