"The driver"

masterpiece brush Boris Kustodiev "The driver" from the outstanding collection of Pyotr Kapitsa was sold at Christie's auction for £ 4, 4 million ($ 7 million.), setting a new world record for the value of his works. Buyers in the room and on the phone became very animated when the auctioneer announced the auction 102. After a three-minute struggle painting "cabby" previously estimated at £ 1, 5-2, 0 million, reached a record high. The canvas has got a private buyer from Europe, participated in the auction by telephone. Alex Tizengauzen, director of the International Department of Russian Christie's: «To offer for auction of art brush Boris Kustodiev with provenance - truly a rare honor for us. We have seen huge interest in this outstanding work from collectors. As always, works of art from private collections, such obladayushie provenance and are in excellent condition, have the biggest demand in the market. " The painting "The driver," Pyotr Kapitsa acquired from the artist's widow in 1936, belongs to a series of works depicting Russian folk types. Written in 1923, the painting "The driver" was the main exhibit of the landmark exhibition of Russian art in New York in 1924. Of the 900 works by Russian artists of the brush 100 is this work has been selected for the poster to illustrate this important historical event. Later, "The driver" was exhibited in the most prestigious museums and institutions such as the State Russian Museum (1928) and St. Petersburg Academy of Arts (1960).