The article reflects on the author's personal coping mechanisms amidst political turmoil, highlighting their passion for art and the thrill of searching for mis-catalogued paintings. The writer connects their historical knowledge of international tensions, particularly regarding Ukraine, to current events, expressing both fascination and concern over the potential for conflict. They lament the changes in the art trade, noting the rise of digital platforms that, while making art more accessible, have intensified competition among collectors, diminishing the joy of finding hidden treasures in auction catalogues.
In times past, one of my favourite ways to switch off was to go through online auction catalogues in pursuit of mis-catalogued paintings... Now that I'm no longer in the art trade, the chase is not quite so exciting.
You spend so long with a painting that you get to know it literally inside out... The thrill of the chase was pleasantly all-consuming. But now, it feels less thrilling.
Thanks to websites like The Saleroom and Drouot Digital, it's possible to see more pictures for sale... but there are also more people than ever looking to make discoveries.
I find what's happening with Ukraine fascinating as well as alarming. In most cases these tensions lead to war. When peace is maintained, it is through cool heads and patience.
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