Shark's stuffed head for $12 million. Sold! The whole truth about the contemporary art market

Retelling and analyzing the quirky, astonishing, and shocking details that fill the history of the creation and commercial success of the most famous and expensive works of contemporary art, economist Donald Thompson constructs a narrative that keeps readers on edge... from the first to the last page, no less captivating than any detective novel. But let’s not rush to conclusions — in this case, we are not dealing with a banal collection of anecdotes from the everyday life of the bohemia. Thompson's book is considered one of the best studies of the contemporary art market by critics. Captivating the reader's attention with scandalous stories of high-profile sales, the author simultaneously reveals the very principles of how the art business operates, usually hidden from the eyes of ordinary mortals. Thompson's book is a unique opportunity to delve into the backstage of the world of auctions and art markets, dealers and gallery owners, artists whose fees are measured in seven-figure sums, and those who are still climbing toward the top—this world where art comes to life and gains value. Published in a new translation.