"Mr. Xiao, how could you have this idea? Our offer for Thunder was $28 million. Isn't this enough to show our sincerity? How could it be an insult to you?" Abraham asked with a frown.

Xiao Yao said slowly: "Richter's "Abstract Painting" is auctioned in February this year at US$47 million. Do you think my "Thunder" has not been as good as "Abstract Painting"? Art was originally difficult to compare, but I think the difference between "Thunder" and "Abstract Painting" is still very obvious. I wonder if Mr. Abraham agrees with this?"

"Mr. Xiao, of course I agree with this, otherwise I would not have offered a high price of US$28 million."

Abraham frowned and began to think about how to convince Xiao Yao.

Xiaoyao's four works, especially "Fire" and "Thunder", have been unanimously appreciated and praised by the art community in terms of art.

The art procurement department of the Louvre Museum in Paris unanimously believes that Xiao Yao may become the most outstanding artist of the century, at least one of them.

Xiao Yao is still very young now. "Fire" and "Thunder" may not be his most outstanding masterpieces, but they will inevitably be one of his representative works. When purchasing works by contemporary artists in museums and collectors purchasing works by contemporary artists, the focus and starting angles of considerations are still different.

When collectors buy contemporary artists' works, the most important thing they consider is the appreciation in the future, while the museums consider more about the artistic nature of the works.

Xiao Yao's four works are undoubtedly masterpieces of collection, and they are the top collection. After many researches by the art purchase department, it is unanimous that even if all four works cannot be won, at least one of them must be won.

If you miss this opportunity, Xiao Yao's reputation will become bigger and bigger in the future, and the purchase cost will inevitably become higher and higher.

After investigating Xiao Yao's information, he found that he was actually a hidden rich man. The artist had many quirks. A rich artist might be more stubborn in some aspects. Abraham was ready to face various difficulties when talking about cooperation with an outstanding rich artist.

After thinking for a while, Abraham still felt that it would be better to test Xiao Yao's bottom line first and then negotiate further.

He said: "Our Louvre in Paris is very appreciative of Mr. Xiao's artistic achievements, and he respects you personally, and he absolutely has no insult. We, a group of six people from the Louvre, rushed to Kyoto to meet Mr. Xiao because of respect for you. We are very sincere in purchasing the painting "Thunder". I wonder what Mr. Xiao has the requirements for price?"

"My requirements are not high, as long as they are enough to match my artistic achievements. You should know that I am not short of money. If it were just because of money, I would not sell this work. Just like you respect me, I also respect the Louvre very much. I will not speak out loud and make unreasonable demands, but this price must at least match the artistic height of this painting."

After pondering for a moment, Xiao Yao continued: "As a shameless word, even if the work "Thunder" is evaluated in the history of world art, it should be at the top of the pyramid. I can lower this work to the present for evaluation. I think "Thunder" is the most artistic work among contemporary art works. I wonder if Mr. Abraham agrees with this statement?"

"I agree with this statement." Abraham answered directly without hesitation.

The Louvre has a very high evaluation of Xiao Yao's works, believing that his works are epoch-making masterpieces, especially "Fire" and "Thunder", which are simply God's works. In the future, Xiao Yao himself may be the only one who can surpass these two works.

"Since Mr. Abraham agrees with this, it's easy to say. My request is: The transfer price of the work "Thunder" must be the highest price for the transaction of contemporary art. If this cannot be met, I will not transfer it."

Abraham immediately shook his head and said, "Mr. Xiao, your requirement is too high. I think no museum or collector can meet your requirement. I think your requirement may be able to be met in 10 years. If it is a hundred years later, it is possible that the price will increase several times, but at this time, your requirement will not be achieved."

Xiao Yao smiled slightly and said firmly: "Then I will collect it myself and keep it until 10 years later before transferring it. You know, I am not short of money. If Mr. Abraham did not come from the Louvre, it would be impossible for this meeting if it weren't for respect for the Louvre. My works would only appear in museums, philanthropists and some relatives and friends. Other ways would not be able to buy my works."

Abraham was silent.

The Louvre in Paris is bound to win Xiao Yao's works, so this meeting was made.

But Xiao Yao's requirements are indeed a bit high. He could not agree on the spot, so he could only go back and study and decide.

"Are you referring to the highest transaction record of living artists' paintings?" Abraham asked after a lucky call.

"Of course not. I mean the highest transaction record of artworks by living artists. If I remember correctly, Jeff Koons's giant orange installation "Balloon Dog" set a new auction record for works by living artists for $58.405 million in February this year." Xiao Yao's tone was firm, "The price of "Thunder" should be at least higher than "Balloon Dog", otherwise I will continue to collect it myself. Even if you are from the Louvre, I can only express regret."

"Your demands are too high, I can't make a decision." Abraham frowned and did not refuse immediately.

Xiao Yao was indifferent, but Lu Jinguang's eyes showed an excited expression.

Lu Jinguang did not expect that the Louvre's willingness to buy was so strong. Xiao Yao had already spoken out loud and did not scare the other party back. Obviously, there was room for negotiation on this matter.

Seeing Abraham's attitude, Lu Jinguang felt that even if the price of "Thunder" could not reach a height of nearly 60 million US dollars, it should not be much different.

If Abraham agrees to this request and Thunder really creates the highest transaction price for contemporary artists, that would be amazing!
Chapter completed!