Chapter 98

The sale of the first lot was more than double the reserve price, showing the enthusiasm of the participants in this auction. 【】Generally speaking, the first lot of each auction is the one with the lowest price in the whole lot. It was unexpected that the transaction price greatly exceeded expectations, but it aroused the enthusiasm of the participants.

However, the enthusiasm at the scene did not make Karim act impulsively. He was still patiently waiting for the painting of Monet's water lilies that he wanted.

"Young lady, I don't think I've seen you before. Is this your first time here?" An older gentleman sitting next to Karim greeted Karim and asked.

"Yes, this is the first time for me to participate in such an auction!" Karim replied politely.

"Do you have a favorite collection?" The old gentleman actually just wanted to chat to pass the time. Compared with the trading items on the field, the young lady who appeared here today actually aroused his interest more. After all, the collection circle in Europe is only so big, and there are only a few people who come and go, and everyone is very familiar with each other. However, in the past few years, some strange faces have also begun to appear here, such as those upstarts from Japan.

The reason why the old gentleman is willing to chat with Karim is first of all because Karim is a beautiful woman, and she is also a very young beauty, which makes the old gentleman very curious, which family is this girl from? As for the second point, it is because Karim has been staring at the precious Monet's work in the album since he came in. This water lily is also the old gentleman's favorite. Out of the same vision, the old gentleman The gentleman also paid more attention to this little girl.

"I only like oil paintings!" Kalim raised his head, looked at the old gentleman sitting next to him, and replied politely.

"Like water lilies?" asked the old gentleman again.

Karim nodded his head as an admission. He wondered what the old man was from? Why do you keep asking questions.

"Forgive me, young lady, but you are more beautiful than this water lily!" said the old gentleman with a kind smile on his face, which was a compliment from his heart.

"Thank you!" Karim smiled slightly to express her gratitude. Although Karim is not used to chatting with strangers, after all, he still has to hang out in this circle in the future. Knowing some people in the circle will still be helpful for Karim's future business.

"Are you new to collecting?" the old man asked enthusiastically.

"Yes! My fiancé's business involves some art investment, and I also want to focus on this aspect of business in the future, but unfortunately I find that I still have a lot to learn!" Karim replied modestly.

Although the old man was a little curious about Karim being engaged at such a young age,

But it didn't make a fuss. This kind of engagement at a young age is not uncommon among nobles, but there are too few countries in Europe that still maintain a monarchy, so the titles of nobles have also become rare. Without these things, the old man, who had always looked at Karim with admiration, took her for granted as a descendant of a certain big family.

"In fact, the appreciation of artworks, especially the appreciation of painting art, first requires you to have a thorough understanding of the works. During this process, we need to feel, experience, associate, analyze and judge the works, and finally Get the enjoyment of beauty..." The old man who was so good as a teacher began to explain to Karim eloquently. Karim couldn't refuse, so he had to listen carefully, and Karim's appearance of being taught made the old man even more happy, and he taught Karim all the more, so Karim, who was helpless, could only continue to listen. .

So as each lot was brought to the stage, the old gentleman became more and more interested in talking. Although Karim felt that the old man was a bit talkative, she had to admit that the old man's knowledge of painting art It is really very rich, and has a very unique vision. There are a few pieces of creation background, inheritance history, and even the life experiences of creators, collectors and their descendants, as well as some anecdotes. Karim also slowly listened in.

Since there were as many as 16 lots in the entire auction, and the participants bid fiercely in the morning, the morning alone was not enough. Naturally, Sotheby’s thoughtful service prepared a buffet at noon, for Everyone provides an opportunity to network and get to know each other.

The old gentleman who had a good chat with Karim took Karim to communicate with some colleagues who came to the auction at noon, and Karim got to know a lot of famous experts in the industry, which made Karim I am very grateful to the old man for his help. Although the old man was familiar, he was not a bad person, and Karim noticed that the collectors here seemed to respect the old man very much, which made Karim a little curious about the origin of the old man.

After a period of rest at noon, the auction in the afternoon also started. After some communication at noon, the old man already knew Karim's name and her Rose Palace Gallery. But Karim still didn't know the origin of the old gentleman.

"Rose Palace! What a beautiful name, I will definitely visit it if I have the chance!" said the old man enthusiastically. Karim was naturally polite.

As the auction came to the final stage, the long-awaited Monet's Water Lilies finally appeared in front of everyone. As the auctioneer lifted the silk covering of Dream on the painting, there was a burst of order in the venue. sound of admiration.

"Well, ladies and gentlemen! This is the last lot in this auction, and it is also the most important item in the first auction of our Sotheby's Auction House this year. I will not repeat the uniqueness of this piece of "Water Lilies on the Pond" created by Nye between 1918 and 1919. The reserve price of this "Water Lilies on the Pond" is 15 million US dollars. The price increase cannot be less than 100,000 US dollars. Ladies and gentlemen, everyone can start bidding now!"

1550w!

1600w!

1700w!

...

As the auction started, people revealed the price one after another, but for the few collectors who were determined to win this painting, these people were just here to join in the fun.

2500w!

"Wow~~!" As an Asian face raised the bidding card in his hand, there was a lifetime of exclamation from the scene!

2600w!

The old man sitting next to Karim immediately raised his bidding card!

"Mr. Rothschild, is there a higher bid of 26 million for Mr. Rothschild?" The auctioneer was already happy at the moment. The higher the price, the higher the auctioneer's commission. Customers who want more antiques continue to bid.

2700w!

"Mr. Saito bid again, and now it is 2700w!" The auctioneer said excitedly!

3000w! Shot again.

3100w! The guy named Saito bid again, and proudly raised his chin at Rothschild.

"This uneducated upstart!" Rothschild resented in his heart, he gritted his teeth and bid again!

3200w!

3300w!

3400w!

...

So in Unknowing House, the two had already started to compete, and this painting was fired to an outrageously high price!

3500w!

3550w!

...

As the price is getting higher and higher, Rothschild has already regretted it. Such a high price is simply taken advantage of. Monet's works have not been sold for such a high price yet? So the two sensible people began to cautiously bid 10w and 10w, but neither of them would give in. The others all became foils, and everyone was wondering whether they would win.

3800w!

"Is there a higher price after 3800w?" Following the auctioneer's inquiry, it seemed that the dust was finally settled. The final bidder was Saito. Although Rothschild was not convinced, he had already given up. , this price is too high, and Monet is a prolific painter with many works handed down from generation to generation, this price is really ridiculously high.

"Aren't you going to bid?" Karim couldn't help but ask Rothschild's lonely eyes. At this time, she already knew that the old man sitting next to him was from the Rothschild family, and had the most expensive surname and identity.

"It seems that this painting of water lilies will finally leave Europe, which is a pity! Do these Japanese people know what Impressionism is?" Rothschild said with a sigh.

"It's okay, if you like, you can come to my gallery to appreciate this work up close!" Kalim said cheerfully.

"What did you say?" Rothschild thought he heard it wrong!

"3800w once!"

"3800w twice!"

"3900w!"

Karim raised her bidding card high, this is her first bid! Saito, who thought he was determined to win, suddenly turned his face, turned around, and wanted to see who spoiled his good deed, but saw a girl who seemed to be underage.

"3910w!" Saito wanted to try one last time, this was already his limit.

"4000w!" Karim bid without hesitation!

"Who are you?" Rothschild asked Karim curiously.

"A beginner who is just getting started, I will put it in the Rose Palace Gallery in Paris, you are welcome to come anytime!" Karim said enthusiastically.

"4000w once!"

"4000w twice!"

"4000w three times!"

"Deal! Congratulations to this lady!"

The auctioneer made the final decision and announced the final owner of the work.