Mr. Shaw, how could you have such an idea? Our offer for Thunder is $28 million, isn't that enough to show our sincerity? How can it be an insult to you?" Abraham asked with a frown.

Xiao Yao said unhurriedly: "Richter's "Abstract Painting" was auctioned for $47 million in February this year, do you think that my "Thunder" is not as good as "Abstract Painting" in terms of artistic achievements? Art is originally difficult to compare, but I think the difference between "Thunder" and "Abstract Painting" is still obvious, I wonder if Mr. Abraham agrees with this?"

"Mr. Xiao, of course I agree with this, otherwise I wouldn't have quoted a high price of $28 million. ”

Abraham frowned and began to think about how to convince Xiao Yao.

Xiaoyao's four works, especially "Fire" and "Thunder", have been unanimously appreciated and praised by the art world for their artistic height.

The art acquisition department at the Louvre in Paris agrees that Xiao Yao has the potential to become the most outstanding artist of the century, at least one of them.

Xiao Yao is still very young, and "Fire" and "Thunder" may not be his most outstanding masterpieces, but they will certainly be one of them. Museums acquire works by contemporary artists and collectors acquire works by contemporary artists, and the focus and starting point are still different.

When a collector buys a work by a contemporary artist, the most important consideration is the future appreciation, while the museum considers more the artistry of the work.

Xiao Yao's four works are undoubtedly masterpieces of the museum's collection, and they are the top masterpieces of the museum's collection. After many studies, the Art Acquisition Department agreed that even if not all four works could be acquired, at least one of them should be acquired.

If this opportunity is missed, Xiao Yao's fame will become bigger and bigger in the future, and the cost of purchase will inevitably become higher and higher.

After investigating Xiao Yao's information, it was found that he was still a hidden rich man, the artist has many quirks, and a rich-level artist may be more stubborn in some aspects. Talking about working with a wealthy and brilliant artist, Abraham was ready to face all kinds of difficulties.

After thinking for a while, Abraham still felt that it was better to test Xiao Yao's bottom line first, and then negotiate further.

He said: "We at the Louvre in Paris are very appreciative of Mr. Xiao's artistic achievements, and we also have great respect for you personally, and there is absolutely no insult. Our Louvre group of 6 people rushed to Kyoto to meet Mr. Xiao, it is out of respect for you, we Louvre Museum is very sincere to buy the painting "Thunder", I don't know Mr. Xiao, what are your requirements for the price?"

"I'm not too demanding, as long as it's enough to match the artistic achievement of my work. You should know that I'm not short of money, and if it were just money, I wouldn't have sold it. Just as you respect me, I also have great respect for the Louvre, and I will not make unreasonable demands, but at least the price must be able to match the artistic height of the painting. ”

After pondering for a moment, Xiao Yao continued: "To put it bluntly, even if the work "Thunder" is evaluated in the history of world art, it should be at the top of the pyramid. I can relegate this work to the contemporary level, and I think that "Thunder" is the most artistic work of contemporary art, I wonder if Mr. Abraham agrees with this statement?"

I agree with that. Abraham did not hesitate and replied directly.

The Louvre has a very high evaluation of Xiao Yao's works, believing that his works are epoch-making masterpieces, especially "Fire" and "Thunder", which are simply God's genius. In the future, I am afraid that only Xiao Yao himself can surpass these two works.

Since Mr. Abraham agrees with this, it is easy to say. My request is that the transfer price of the work "Thunder" must be the highest price for a contemporary artwork, and if this cannot be met, I will not transfer it. ”

Abraham immediately shook his head and said, "Mr. Xiao, your request is too high. I don't think there is any museum or collector that can meet your requirements. I think that in 10 years, your request may be met, and if it is 100 years from now, it is possible that the price will increase several times, but in this period, your request cannot be fulfilled. ”

Xiao Yao smiled slightly, and said very firmly: "Then I will collect it myself and transfer it after 10 years, you know, I am not short of money." If Monsieur Abraham had not come from the Louvre, and if it had not been for the respect for the Louvre, this meeting would not have been possible. My work will only be in the hands of museums, philanthropists, and individual relatives and friends, and I can't buy my work in any other way. ”

Abraham was silent.

The Louvre Museum in Paris is bound to Xiao Yao's works, so this meeting took place.

But Xiao Yao's requirements are indeed a bit high, and it is impossible for him to agree on the spot, so he can only study and decide after going back.

"Are you referring to the highest auction price for a painting by a living artist?" asked Abraham, out of luck.

"Of course not, I'm referring to the highest auction time for a living artist's artwork. If I'm not mistaken, Jeff Koons' orange giant installation Balloon Dog set a new auction record for a living artist at auction in February of this year for $58.405 million. Xiao Yao's tone was firm, "The price of "Thunder" should be at least higher than "Balloon Dog", otherwise I will continue to collect it myself, even if you are from the Louvre, I can only express regrets." ”

"This is too high for me to decide. Abraham frowned, but did not immediately refuse.

Xiao Yao was indifferent, but Lu Jinguang's eyes showed an excited look.

Lu Jinguang didn't expect the Louvre's willingness to buy it to be so strong, Xiao Yao had already opened his mouth, and he didn't scare the other party away, obviously there was room for negotiation in this matter.

Seeing Abraham's attitude, Lu Jinguang felt that even if the price of "Thunder" did not reach a height close to $60 million, it should not be too different.

If Abraham had agreed to this request, and "Thunder" had really created the highest price ever paid for a contemporary artist's artwork, it would have been incredible!

The reputation of Xiao Yao's works is high enough, and it is completely one-sided praise. However, the translation of the reputation of the work into the market price of the work needs to be proved by examples.