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"Socialist property. Private collections". By Valeriy Igumenov. Forbes, November 2006.

This summer the Moscow SOVCOM Art Gallery, which actively promotes soviet artworks, auctioned off the Alexander Deineka’s still life for inconceivable $250.000.
Last year we advised to buy articles of social realism. The consideration was simple. The demand for these artworks was supposed to grow along with the population income, as most pictures are purchased not by collectors, but by the upper middle class wishing to decorate walls in their new houses and apartments. At present, Russian classical art can hardly be found in the market, otherwise it’s very expensive. Therefore, prices for articles belonging to the next historical stage, i.e. social realism, were supposed to go higher. And it went just the way it meant to be. This summer the Moscow SOVCOM Art Gallery, which actively promotes soviet artworks, auctioned off the Alexander Deineka’s still life for inconceivable $250.000. Our customers are interested not only in top painters – said Igor Zasypikin, SOVCOM Art Director, referring to works by a less known artist Viktor Popkov. Even the year before one could buy his pictures for $4.000-5.000, now they start with $25.000 – he remarks. This year one of his works “The Nude Model” was sold for $100.000. By the way, it was purchased by a USA Collector. Of course, social realistic art will not match every interior, but it has one indisputable advantage: the convincing provenance (history of ownership). Frequently, these artworks are purchased directly from artist’s relatives; otherwise they may certify authenticity of such work. Articles created by main artists of the Soviet times, such as Deineka, Stozharov, Pimenov, Gerasimov, Nalbandyan, now cost dozens or even hundreds thousands dollars and purchasing thereof now is not so profitable as it used to be 5 or 10 years before. Though, it is still reasonable to pay attention to less famous artists. Major selection criteria are whether the picture is authentic and whether you like it. Following this simple principle, you’ll for sure get your money’s worth. And, by the way, can you guess what kind of works will be popular when storerooms of Soviet artists’ relatives are run out of pictures? That’s right! These will be works by contemporaries. Therefore keep an eye on the artists started to be promoted by Moscow galleries.