Reborn as a great painter, with a system, you can be willful

Chapter 299, Auction and Collection, Selection
Teahouse.

Jiang Zhe asked the waiter to bring a pot of fresh tea and two plates of snacks.

After the waiter left, he smiled and asked, "Teacher, you are amazing. You can handle such a difficult task..."

He was very excited to hear that his works might be collected by the provincial art museum.

Professor Qin watched Jiang Zhe pour tea for him and said, "You guessed wrong. This matter was not handled by me. Although I know Director Li, I can't do this even if I have a relationship with him."

Jiang Zhe didn't understand, "If it's not you who's running it, then what is it?"

"Don't guess. Director Li will retire in less than two years. Sometimes, relationships can't get things done for him.

Did you notice what we just talked about? He is first of all a professional painter, and he also has his own aesthetic preferences.

In our time, he studied Russian painting. His greatest admirer was Repin, and he liked grand narratives and realism.

Your group of paintings just meets his aesthetic requirements."

Jiang Zhe asked: "Is this a coincidence?"

Professor Qin said, "It's a bit of luck. Do you remember the painting we talked about just now?"

Jiang Zhe asked, "Are you talking about the oil painting "Café de Paris" created by Repin in Paris?"

Yes, Professor Qin picked up the teacup and took a sip: "That painting is not as well-known as The Volga Boatmen, but the talent shown in it is amazing.

In your series of paintings, there is a market scene. In the background, there are several minor characters, showing the fun of life. In addition, the people you painted working and resting in the fields have a realistic style, so it is not surprising that he likes your style of painting. "

Jiang Zhe recalled the details of Repin's work. In that painting, the main character was a beautiful and wealthy widow, sitting in a cafe, enjoying the attention of everyone. The people around her had different expressions, which was more dramatic than his own work.

Professor Qin reminded: "Don't be too happy yet. This matter is just Director Li's personal idea and he is working on it. So, he didn't mention this matter to you at all. He just wanted to see you."

Jiang Zhe asked. "In other words, has the operation started yet?" His original excitement suddenly subsided.

Professor Qin said: "The importance of having your work collected by the Provincial Art Museum cannot be compared to awards or commendations."

Jiang Zhe understands that having his works collected in the provincial art museum is a promotion for him. In the past, he thought about his works being collected by various art museums. However, taking a step forward to have his works collected by a provincial art museum is like gilding his works.

Professor Qin warned: "Don't tell anyone about this. Director Li will have to go through some formalities when he goes back to handle it. Although he is the director, nothing is absolute."

Jiang Zhe said, "I'll remember this and keep it a secret. Thank you, teacher. If it weren't for your kindness, I might not have this opportunity."

Professor Qin said: "Director Li and I are close friends. So far, none of my students' works have been collected by the provincial art museum.

I once had several students with good works who hoped that I could help them, but they all failed.

I hope your work can be successfully collected by the Provincial Art Museum."

Jiang Zhe said: "Ten years ago, your works were collected by the Provincial Art Museum. This is a rare honor for our school and Binhai."

"Don't flatter me." Professor Qin put down his teacup and said, "You're not in a hurry to go back these two days, are you? I'll take you to meet a few people. I hope it will be of some help to this matter. I hope they won't raise any objections."

……

Jiang Zhe left the hotel teahouse in a happy mood.

Unexpectedly, there was light at the end of the tunnel. I thought that I would not gain anything from this exhibition, but unexpectedly, there was a surprise waiting for me. It seems that this should be the opportunity mentioned by the system.

He remembered Professor Qin's instructions and kept reminding himself: Don't be complacent, after all, the matter has not been announced yet.

He looked at the time, hesitating whether to go back to the exhibition hall or go back to the hotel first, when he suddenly received a call from Wang Zhen.

"Jiang Zhe, where are you? Two foreign guests want to see you as soon as possible, come back quickly." Wang Zhen's voice was filled with anxiety.

Jiang Zhe asked about the meeting place and felt that it was not far away, so he said, "I'll be there as soon as possible." These two people would not come to him for no reason.

We took a taxi to the agreed location.

Wang Zhen was pacing and saw Jiang Zhe coming over, so he pulled him towards a coffee shop.

"what happened?"

Wang Zhen talked as they walked, telling Jiang Zhe the whole story as quickly as possible.

The two foreigners met Jiang Zhe in the exhibition hall without any other expression. However, they secretly contacted Wang Zhen through their friends and expressed their desire to meet Jiang Zhe alone.

Wang Zhen knew that there were some things that the two of them couldn't say in front of so many people. "This is a good opportunity. You have experience selling paintings before, but working with top galleries and auction houses is not an opportunity that everyone has."

The two waited in the cafe for a while and saw James and Anne walk in with a young woman.

Wang Zhen and the other man walked over to greet them.

Both parties greeted each other warmly and took their seats.

Through the introduction, Jiang Zhe learned that James was a consultant for the Highland Gallery and Anne was a consultant for Christie's Auction House. The young woman was indeed a translator.

Wang Zhen enthusiastically asked the two to order drinks.

Both James and Ms. Anne chose coffee and asked the translator to help translate their words.

"Sir, I have seen the works you exhibited and the works you sold. The works exhibited this time are also very good..." Annie praised Jiang Zhe and then stated her purpose.

"If you agree, our gallery would like to try to market your work and try to introduce it to the market at the next auction." She then explained the various advantages of the auction house.

James remained silent the entire time, as if he was just there to spectate.

Jiang Zhe did not express his opinion.

Wang Zhen joined the conversation at the right time and said that he had always been the one helping Jiang Zhe to negotiate the sale of paintings.

Annie carefully confirmed that Wang Zhen and Jiang Zhe had not signed the agency contract before continuing the discussion.

Jiang Zhe didn't need a translator to understand their conversation. While listening to the two talking about prices, he was hesitating in his heart. After all, his work might be collected by the art museum.

While they were negotiating the price, the waiter came in and asked if they wanted more coffee.

When the door opened, the scene of several people talking caught the eyes of someone who was paying attention.

Wang Zhen and Annie negotiated the auction reserve price to US$2, and neither was willing to give in.

She and Jiang Zhe looked at each other and told Annie that she needed to go back and think about it.

Jiang Zhe suppressed the words of refusal that he was about to say.

Before leaving, Annie said to Jiang Zhe, "Mr. Jiang, our Christie's auction house is your best choice." She thought Jiang Zhe might still be discussing cooperation with other galleries and auction houses.

Jiang Zhe did not explain, but just said that he would consider it carefully.

After sending James and Annie away, Wang Zhen finally couldn't hold back his expression anymore and said with a smile: "Although this price is not as high as the highest transaction price of your work, it is the reserve price after all, and it should be higher during the auction.

Just imagine if you could have your work auctioned at Christie’s…”

Jiang Zhe looked at Wang Zhen's excited expression and didn't know how to explain to her.

(End of this chapter)