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Originally Posted by Marvin Mattelson
. . . Richard, sorry but I was talking about previous history as related to this forum . . . I think the subject you bring up could be the start of it's own topic. For what it's worth Vermeer was virtually unknown until late in the 19th Century. Bouguereaus that were selling for $10,000 in the 1970's now go for millions.
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Dang. There goes the "double".
I do think the question of the "value" of art is truly fascinating. True, a big chunk of Vermeer's known works were "lost" for at least a hundred years, and hence out of view.
I'm suspicious of the record prices that artwork of all kinds (from pickeled sharks to Bouguereau to Picasso) currently bring at auction. If actual "market value" ever truly was a reliable reflection of true aesthetic merit, I'm afraid the guage got busted in the 60's . . . and ain't been fixed since.
Bouguereau commanded megabucks in his own time, and fell entirely from grace by the time of his own death (1905). If I recall correctly, Alan Funt, of "Candid Camera" fame started the gold rush on his work, collecting them for "peanuts" . . . but mostly because he, personally, considered them ineffably, ridiculously and egregiously
bad.
While I feel he didn't deserve the neglect and castigation that was his lot c.1910-1990, I'm not sure those who worship at his altar currently aren't a little "fevered" in their appreciation. Values? When it comes to spending millions, I'd rather see it go for a Bougie than a pickeled shark, or a pile of garbage strewn about an empty room!