Interview with Francis Russell, Deputy Chairman, Old Master & Early British Paintings, Christie's UK conducted by Nicola Linza and Cristoffer Neljesjo in London, England during August 2012.
How do
you view the astonishing art sales records being made today?
These reflect the
demand of discriminating collectors and institutions for exceptional works of
art.
In your
opinion is the Old Masters market stable today as fewer significant works are
brought to sale, or have you witnessed any significant changes since you began
your career at Christies?
Inevitably the market
has changed, partly as the result of decreasing supply.
How is
the auction process different today, than it was 30 years ago?
More knowledgeable
private collectors participate directly at picture sales; and the internet
makes it very much easier for those who are interested to follow movements of
the market and sales of individual works of art.
If you
could have your portrait done by any artist, living or deceased, whom would it
be? And why?
This would depend on
the age at which I was to be painted. As I write this I can see a facsimile of
David Hockney’s watercolour of me, which he has generously allowed to be used
in some recent books: it shows me in argumentative humour. I seem to be more
reflective in his larger and more recent computer print. It can take time to
come to like a portrait of oneself: thus I used not to care for Derek Hill’s
drawing, but now do.
A deceased artist is
a challenging proposition. We do not know how the greatest painters of
portraits—Titian, Velasquez or Rembrandt—might have responded to an English
sitter. But none of us would object to van Dyck’s ostensibly effortless
flattery. Among English painters. Lawrence rarely fails with men. While Raeburn
understood age.
The above interview with Francis Russell 2012 © Manner of Man Magazine. All rights reserved. Reproduction is strictly prohibited without written permission from the publisher
