The contemporary art market is a unique world, evolving according to its own laws, yet at the same time, it is an uncontrollable, uncontrollable force, accumulating enormous financial flows. Michael Schneerson, a contributor to Vanity Fair magazine, is interested in the hidden mechanisms of this market, its participants, and its history from the 1940s to the present day—the story of its incredible growth and transformation into an industry. The 57th Street phenomenon in New York, the flourishing of art galleries in SoHo and Chelsea, the art fair frenzy of the 21st century, and the most significant events in the art world in recent decades—all of this is covered in this book. However, the art market is unimaginable without art dealers—tastemakers, those who financially support emerging artists and guide them to success.
Michael Schneerson focuses on the renowned art dealers who worked with the greatest artists of their time—Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, Cy Twombly, and Basquiat. The author personally met the characters in his book—Larry Gagosian, David Zwirner, Arnie and Marc Glimcher, Ivan Wirth, and others. Their experience demonstrates that behind the scenes of the contemporary art world, in a highly competitive environment, there is room for everything—honest partnerships and betrayal, pragmatism and philanthropy, painstaking work and adventurism.