Everyone had lunch in this mansion, just some fast food, but no one cared.
After lunch, the visit continued.
In a room on the second floor, Xiao Ran and Elaine were admiring a Cubist painting.
This is a still life painting. On the table in the center of the picture, there is a transparent tubular vase with a bouquet of delicate blooming flowers in it. There is also a violin next to the vase.
The table, vases, flowers, and violins all appear in various distorted states in this painting, and each item seems to be composed of countless fragments.
The colors in the painting are strong and bold, giving people a strong visual impact, but they are also very harmonious.
The style of painting shown is simple, rigorous and unified, and also reveals a bit of elegance.
Xiao Ran and Elaine stood in front of this oil painting, just standing quietly, admiring it intently.
Many fans in the live broadcast room are also admiring and analyzing this painting.
However, no one could see why, and neither did the Shangbo ceramic appraisal expert.
Most Chinese people cannot appreciate Western paintings, especially cubist paintings that are obscured by clouds and mountains.
Many fans in the live broadcast room also couldn't understand this cubist oil painting.
"What is the theme expressed in this Cubist oil painting? Why can't I understand it?"
Sister Min said in confusion.
As soon as he finished speaking, another guy continued:
"I guess everyone is the same and can't understand this Cubist oil painting."
"Who knows what this painter wants to express? It's all in the clouds!"
Hearing everyone's discussion, Xiao Ran couldn't help but chuckle.
But his eyes, which were covered by sunglasses, were full of surprise.
"In fact, you don't have to worry about the theme of the painting. Perhaps what the painter is pursuing is just a breakthrough in color and painting techniques."
"It is undeniable that this Cubist oil painting can indeed bring a strong visual impact to people."
Following Xiao Ran's words, Elaine immediately woke up.
Immediately afterwards, the French beauty whispered:
"Sean, this cubist oil painting is of high quality and is a very good work of art."
"The unknown master's work I just mentioned mainly refers to this oil painting, but I don't know which art master it is."
"This may be a top-notch work of art. If the price is not high, I suggest you take a photo of this oil painting."
"Of course, this comes with certain risks. You may make a fortune, or you may lose money."
Xiao Ran turned to look at her and sighed secretly.
As expected of a child who grew up in the Louvre, this kind of appreciation ability formed by hearing and seeing is really very powerful.
The big leak that even the auction house missed was discovered by her.
This beauty is a rare talent, and she must be tied to her side to protect herself.
Xiao Ran thought to himself, then turned to look at the Cubist oil painting hanging on the wall.
He admired it carefully for a moment, and then whispered:
"The color used in this oil painting looks like Fauvism, but the composition is Cubism."
"There seems to be some Impressionist colors and modernist shadows, which is really strange."
Before he finished speaking, Elaine looked at him in surprise.
"I didn't expect you to be able to see so much content, Sean. You are right. This oil painting is indeed a mixture of several different art schools."
"And this painter's painting skills are very good. Although he combines multiple art schools, the picture is harmonious and unified."
"Not many people can see this. How did you do it? Have you been hiding your strength?"
Xiao Ran shook his head gently, and then explained a few words in a low voice.
"In the past few weeks, I have been visiting major museums whenever I have time, in order to improve my appreciation ability."
“And I bought a lot of related books and have been learning relevant knowledge.”
"Of course these efforts will not be in vain. My appreciation ability has improved somewhat."
After hearing his explanation, Elaine and the guys in the live broadcast room suddenly understood.
How do they know that this is just an excuse.
After chatting for a few more words, Xiao Ran made a decision.
"Since you said that this oil painting may be a masterpiece, then I am willing to take the risk and try to take a picture of this painting."
"If this is really a masterpiece, you will definitely make a lot of money. If not, I believe you won't lose much."
“Hopefully it’s a big leak, that would be great!”
Elaine nodded expectantly.
While they were talking, Sylvia and Garcia suddenly walked into the room.
The two guys first looked at the Cubist oil painting, and then asked in a low voice curiously:
"Sean, are you attracted to this Cubist oil painting?"
"Can you tell me which artist's work this is? Is it valuable?"
Xiao Ran looked at these two guys, then smiled and shook his head.
"I don't know which artist's work this is, but I thought it was interesting, so I looked at it for a while."
"If the price for this oil painting is relatively low, I would be willing to take a photo of it and play with it. Forget about the higher price."
As soon as he said this, the voice of the auction house staff suddenly came from outside the door.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to visit and the auction will begin soon."
"Please go to the auction venue in the garden and participate in the auction!"
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately stopped visiting and walked downstairs.
…
The venue for this family auction is located in the garden. Looking up, you can see the blue Pacific Ocean not far away. The scenery is very beautiful.
There were more than two hundred chairs placed on the grass in the garden.
The auction stage is located on the steps of the back door of the house, with two large-screen TVs on both sides to display the auction items.
In addition, the auction house also erected several huge awnings in the garden to block the early summer sun.
Like other bidders, Xiao Ran and Elaine took their bidding numbers, found their seats and sat down, waiting for the auction to begin.
In the blink of an eye, all the bidders were seated.
After sitting down, Xiao Ran quickly scanned the scene, paying special attention to the professional treasure hunters he knew.
Sylvia and Garcia were not far ahead, separated by only two rows of seats.
That guy from Lyon is also under this awning, at the side and rear, only one row of seats away.
As for Parsons and Justin, they were under another awning, a little far apart.
In addition to these guys, Xiao Ran also paid attention to several powerful professional treasure hunters, including the always low-key Kevin.
In the blink of an eye, the auctioneer has arrived on the auction stage.
After other staff were in place, the family auction began immediately.
"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, I am Claude. Welcome everyone to come to this family auction. I hope everyone can gain something today..."
The auctioneer said loudly, announcing the start of the auction.
Just like the auctions I have attended in the past, the opening ceremony was as usual an introduction to the auction rules, even though everyone was already familiar with these auction rules.
After introducing the rules and other related precautions, the fun really begins.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the order of the auction at this home auction is based on the order in which the items are displayed."
"The first items to be auctioned are the furniture in the foyer and the painting hanging in the foyer."
Following Claude's introduction, scenes from the foyer of the mansion appeared simultaneously on the large-screen TVs on both sides of the auction table.
Immediately afterwards, the camera focused on the painting hanging on the wall of the entrance hall.
At the same time, Claude's passionate voice came out again.
"The realistic landscape oil painting you are seeing now is the first auction item today. This oil painting depicts the beautiful scenery of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem."
"The artist of this realistic landscape oil painting is a late Israeli painter. The starting bid for this oil painting is three thousand US dollars. Which gentleman or lady should bid?..."
Before he finished speaking, an old lady sitting under the first awning raised the bidding number in her hand.
Xiao Ran glanced over there, but didn't take it seriously.
The guys in the live broadcast room started talking enthusiastically.
"This is an oil painting depicting the scenery of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. It seems that the person holding the sign to pay the price is also a Jew!"
"I guess it's about the same. This oil painting may not be valuable, but it has special meaning!"
