THE NEW YORK TIMES
By Robin Pogrebin
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| “Lot and His Daughters,” an early 17th-century oil work by Peter Paul Rubens, sold for $58 million in July. But such old master paintings rarely come up for auction. Credit via Christie's
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Old masters, new world. At a time when contemporary art is all the rage among collectors, viewers and donors, many experts are questioning whether old master artwork — once the most coveted — can stay relevant at auction houses, galleries and museums. An appreciation for old masters, experts say, also requires a deeper history of collecting and an educated eye. Christie’s, for example, trains its old master specialists for six to seven years, whereas its contemporary experts get three to four years. And new collectors tend to find contemporary art more accessible. In light of these developments, old masters have become a collecting opportunity. Printings and engravings can go for $4,000 to $5,000. [
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| Jan Brueghel the Elder, “Landscape,” oil on copper, 1606, $591,000 |
