Hubert ROBERT (1733-1808)

Old art is generally a less profitable segment of the art market than Contemporary art primarily because the latter segment enjoys the price impact of fashion, speculation and frequent turnover whereas old masterpieces are rare, relatively stable in price and sold much less frequently.

Traditionally London and New York host the so-called ‘prestige’ sales that generate the world’s most spectacular art auction results whereas 89% of the art auction lots sold in France fetch less than $10,000. Nevertheless, from time to time some impressionist, modern and contemporary works offered at French sales generate results on a par with Anglo-American results.