The city of Yekaterinburg in central Russia is currently playing host to 40 works by Salvador Dalí recently purchased by a local oligarch for a rumoured $1m.
The Russian businessman Alexander Shadrin bought the collection in a deal brokered by the Dalí Universe in London. Mr Shadrin claims that some of the pieces had been sold by museums but declined to specify which ones. Prices of the 350-edition Dalí Universe pieces, some of which are included in Mr Shadrin’s collection, range from £6,500 to £19,000 ($10,800-$34,200).
Mr Shadrin told Russian TV that “negotiations took about two years. There were constant trips to London and Paris in order to put this collection together. However, just as we were signing the contract we had to change our plans. Originally, we wanted to borrow the works and there was no talk of purchasing them. But we couldn’t find a company to insure the works in Russia.”
Mr Shadrin describes himself as a dealer, but says that art is a passion, not a business, and that he makes his money in finance. His works will go on tour to Moscow in 2007. They remain on show at the Yekaterinburg Museum of History until 18 October.
Originally appeared in The Art Newspaper as 'Oligarch buys 40 Dalís'