Do you have a dollar to spare?

Hey all you art buyers out there! One of the most important art pieces in the world (whatever that means, and however its defined) still in private hands has just been sold. And if you’re like me you totally missed the train to get your greedy little hands on it. I’m talking about Paul Cézanne’s “Card Players”. It depicts an angular, moody representation of two Aix-en-Provence peasants totally into a card game. Now who would not want a painting portraying such subject matter hanging in you living room? As long as it matches the sofa and the rug that is… But don’t be too frustrated that you were not given the chance to be in the running for its acquisition. There was as it often is, a tiny, tiny detail that may have disqualified you as the next proud owner of this specific painting. That detail is spelled $250 million! Let’s grab a taste of that number again in its entity: $250 000 000!? Did I read something recently about a crumbling world economy? Must have misunderstood that whole thing… But wait for it, so who dug deep enough in their pockets to be able to scramble together that type of small change? Aha, the state of Qatar… Hmmm… What can I say? High five on them! It should also be noted that it’s the highest price ever paid for an artwork. By $144 million!!! The runner up being a portrait by Picasso of his curvy mistress Marie-Thérèse, sold at Christies last year for the already ridiculous sum of $106 million. So is it worth it? Well, I guess it is and if I was sitting on some art (which unfortunately I do not, and by the look of it never will) that was even remotely on the same level as the Cézanne, I would add the state of Qatar on Facebook right away and build a serious relationship with those guys. In the meantime, go out there, take away five zeros off the Cézanne price tag and buy something you like and that will make you happy to rest your eyes on. And by the way, it does not need to match the rest of your interior. You know what they say, never match your make up with your dress. I know, disturbing that I even think about that, but the same goes here.

If you can't afford this one...

...this one is a bargain at $144 million less.