Chapter 99. Art Investment (2)

The two are quite well-known in this field.

If he were to inquire, the gallery might conduct a separate investigation. If he were to find out the true value of the painting, he wouldn't sell it even for ten times the price.

"And it's not 100% certain yet. We need to see the painting in person to make a judgment."

Robert has a sharper eye than any appraiser, which has allowed him to make a lot of money.

The moment he saw the painting in the catalog, he felt a strong sense of certainty that he hadn't felt before, but it's not too late to make a proper judgment by seeing it with his own eyes.

Both were busy, but they had no intention of hesitating.

Robert put the money, including a tip, on the table and stood up.

"Let's go to Chicago right now."

* * *

It took only two and a half hours to travel from New York to Chicago.

After getting off at O'Hare International Airport, they took a taxi straight to the Eppenfrit Gallery. As they entered the building, the lobby was decorated with various paintings and sculptures, as befitting a gallery.

While Patrick went to talk to an employee, Robert looked around. He noticed a young East Asian man sitting on a sofa, writing something.

'Is he Chinese?'

East Asians are important customers for galleries.

During the bubble economy era, the Japanese went crazy buying paintings. A famous anecdote is that a Japanese insurance company bought Van Gogh's Sunflowers at a Christie's auction in the UK for 5.3 billion yen, the highest price in art auction history.

At the time, everyone thought it was an absurdly high price, but the value of the painting has since tripled.

After the Japanese bubble burst, China emerged as a major player in the art world. Chinese tycoons bought up famous artists' works en masse, driving up prices.

Perhaps the painting they were buying might end up in the hands of a Chinese buyer someday.

'Whoever buys it, I just need to make money.'

However, the young man's face seemed somewhat familiar.

Robert casually approached the young man.

"Where are you from?"

The young East Asian man smiled and spoke in English.

"I'm from Korea."

Robert extended his hand.

"You're Korean. Nice to meet you. I'm Robert Pandle, from New York."

"Ah! I just came from New York too."

The presence of a suitcase next to the sofa suggested he had come straight from the airport.

"Oh! Did you visit Central Park? It's my favorite place."

The young man nodded.

"Yes, I did. I only stayed for a short while, but it left a great impression."

Robert momentarily recalled an unpleasant memory but forced a smile.

"That's good to hear. What brings you here?"

In response to Robert's question, the young man introduced himself and explained why he was there.

After hearing the story, Robert showed interest.

"Oh! You came from New York to buy a painting here?"

"Yes, I couldn't buy it online."

"It seems you really like that painting."

The young man smiled awkwardly.

"Actually, it's for investment."

Robert stroked his beard.

"Hmm, that won't be easy."

The price of a painting goes up if you buy it, but not all paintings increase in value. He himself has experienced significant losses several times in this field.

"Art investment isn't easy. There are specific paintings that increase in value, and those paintings are usually priced beyond the reach of ordinary people."

The high-end art auction market is a 'league of its own,' not easily accessible to the general public.

"Of course, there are times when you can find a pearl in the mud and hit the jackpot."

To do that, you need high market access and the ability to distinguish between genuine and fake works. This isn't something you can develop in a day or two.

"But it's absolutely impossible for a layperson to seize such an opportunity."

'Even I missed a valuable painting when I saw it in the catalog.'

The young man smiled awkwardly and scratched his head.

"Indeed, the art market is difficult."

"It's not a place for amateurs. What are you writing?"

"I'm filling out a membership application. The process is quite complicated. There are several documents to submit, and it takes a few days."

While some paintings can be bought just by paying, others cannot.

High-value paintings have their transaction history serve as a certificate of authenticity, so some galleries strictly manage the identity of buyers.

He decided to offer a small favor.

"Since we met, I'll help you."

Robert Pandle is a board member of the American Gallery Association. With his recommendation, membership can be obtained without additional documents or procedures.

Robert revealed his identity to the employee and wrote his name in the recommendation field. Thanks to his help, the young man was able to join the Eppenfrit Gallery with just his passport.

The young man bowed gratefully.

"Thank you very much."

Robert patted the young man's shoulder.

"No problem. We need to help each other."

While they were having a pleasant conversation, Patrick and a middle-aged white man with a mustache and a slightly balding forehead approached.

The man greeted them politely.

"Welcome, Mr. Robert Pandle. It's an honor to have you visit the Eppenfrit Gallery. I'm Gary Rooney, the director."

"Nice to meet you, Director."

The two shook hands warmly.

"Please follow me to the reception room."

Robert said to the young man.

"It was a pleasure talking to you."

The young East Asian man bowed.

"It was nice meeting you too."

Robert and Patrick were led to the VIP reception room on the third floor.

Director Rooney spoke in a friendly tone.

"We are truly grateful for your visit. We hope to build a good relationship with you through this opportunity."

They were well-known figures in the art world. Patrick Wilshire is a famous art dealer in New York with connections to Wall Street tycoons, and Robert Pandle is known for his extensive network in the art world, including artists, professors, curators, and historians.

"We hope so too," Robert laughed heartily.

They sipped coffee and discussed recent trends in the art world and promising artists.

Once the atmosphere became warm, Patrick brought up the main topic.

"Before coming here, I looked at the catalog online. There are a few works that interest us."

Director Rooney was delighted.

"Which paintings? Since you've come all the way here, we'll do our best to offer you the best price."

"Thank you."

He mentioned a list of about ten paintings, including the one he wanted.

"Can we see these paintings?"

"Please wait a moment."

Once the director left, Robert gulped down water.

Patrick handed him a handkerchief.

"Wipe your sweat."

"Ah, okay."

If they showed too much tension, the other side might notice. They should just look at the other paintings naturally.

And if it's the right painting, they should buy it immediately.

Robert and Patrick waited, hiding their tension.

A moment later, the staff brought the paintings Robert mentioned and laid them out in front of them.

They pretended to examine the paintings carefully, but the one they wanted wasn't there.

Patrick was flustered.

"One seems to be missing."

"Which one?"

"The 16th-century religious painting."

Director Rooney bowed his head.

"Oh! That piece was just purchased by someone."

They were shocked.

"What, what do you mean?"

Who would buy a painting they wouldn't even look at?

The thought of missing the painting made their stomachs churn.

Robert couldn't hold back and shouted.

"How could you sell it! Do you know who painted it!"

Surprised by his sudden change in attitude, Director Rooney asked.

"Who painted it?"

"Exactly..."

Patrick covered Robert's mouth to prevent him from shouting the artist's name, as it would mean the gallery wouldn't sell the painting.

"Who bought it?"

Galleries and auction houses verify customer identities for transaction records but don't disclose them to others.

"We cannot disclose customer information..."

Robert grabbed his collar and shouted.

"Who bought it!"

Shocked, Director Rooney inadvertently answered.

"A Korean..."

Robert recalled the young man he had talked to in the lobby before coming up.

"Oh, my God!"

Patrick shouted, looking out the window.

"There he is!"

A young East Asian man, carrying a suitcase in one hand and a painting in the other, was leaving the building. The painting was wrapped in his hand.

'This is unbelievable! Could he have flown from Korea to Chicago just to buy this painting? Does that mean he knows who painted it?'

It's really unbelievable. The catalog has been online for over a year, but no one showed any interest in the painting during that time.

They thought no one else would notice it besides themselves.

'How could I have helped him with membership without knowing this?'

Without further thought, Robert quickly ran down the stairs, running with all his might, even as his shoes came off.

'If I offer him twice the price, will he sell it?'

No, he'd be willing to pay ten times, a hundred times, as long as he sells it. If he doesn't, he'll have to take it by force.

When Robert burst out of the revolving door and ran outside, the young man was already getting into a taxi.

"Stop! Stand still!"

But the taxi started despite his shouts.

Robert ran after the taxi, shouting.

"Wait, wait! No, no, no!"

* * *

The young taxi driver greeted him warmly.

"Where would you like to go?"

"To the Gratten Hotel."

As he started the car, he asked.

"Where are you from?"

"Korea."

"You speak English well. Are you here for tourism?"

"No, I came to buy a painting."

"Looks like you just bought it, judging by what you're holding."

I nodded.

"Yes, it was a painting I had to buy, but the purchase process was complicated, and I almost couldn't get it. Fortunately, a kind American helped me, and I was able to buy it."

"Really? It's not easy to meet such people these days."

"Maybe that's why the world is still worth living in."

While we were chatting, the young taxi driver looked surprised and checked the side mirror.

"What's wrong?"

"Oh, nothing. I thought someone was shouting and chasing us."

The taxi had just turned a corner, and I looked back.

"There's no one."

The taxi driver smiled awkwardly.

"Maybe it was just my imagination."