A painting by Alexey Zimin is up for auction with a starting price of 4.8 billion rubles.

A precedent has been set on a Russian bankruptcy auction site. Lot number 7266229, a painting by contemporary artist Alexey Zimin, is being offered for sale with a starting bid of 4.803 billion rubles. Market experts note that this amount is a record for such auctions in the domestic market.

Technical parameters and provenance

The artwork is titled "Easy Bliss" (in the international auction listing, "Easy Bliss"). It was completed in 2024 using oil painting on canvas. Its physical dimensions are 1.2 by 1.0 meters. According to the lot documentation, the painting is created in the style of tubbing, a signature movement developed by the artist.

The property is located in Moscow. The auction is being organized by financial manager Alexander Bolshikh, acting as part of the bankruptcy proceedings for an individual. The Alfalot system, where the corresponding lot card is located, has been selected as the operator of the electronic platform.

Reasons for asset disposal

The painting’s appearance at auction is due to the financial insolvency of its owner, Albina Kuznetsova. She was previously listed as a founder of the consumer cooperative "Heritage." Following the 2023 financial year, the organization’s financial statements showed a critical deterioration in its performance: losses increased 53-fold, leading to a negative balance sheet.

During the court proceedings, Kuznetsova was declared bankrupt. All of the debtor’s liquid assets were included in the bankruptcy estate for settlements with creditors. In addition to the art pieces, the inventory included vehicles, including a Land Rover, which the owner refused to hand over voluntarily. Now, the proceeds from the sale of the painting must cover the debt obligations to the creditors.

History of creation and artistic value

Sources familiar with Alexey Zimin’s biography point to the personal nature of the work. It was painted from life, and the model was the artist’s girlfriend, Vera. The model’s last name is withheld for privacy reasons.

The painting’s visuals are characterized by a lack of aggressive color schemes. The composition is built on conveying an atmosphere of tranquility and weightlessness. The artist’s artistic goal was to capture a meditative state. The viewer sees an attempt to arrest the dynamics of everyday life through a static image. Tube painting as a style is evident here in the specific use of form and volume, typical of Zimin’s work of his later period.

Conditions for participation in the auction

The auction process is strictly regulated. The auction is open, with price increases increments of 240,150,000 rubles. To participate in the bidding, potential buyers must pay a deposit. The deposit is set at the same 240.15 million rubles.

Bids will be accepted online until December 10, 2025. The auction itself is scheduled for December 11. If there are no bids in the first round, bankruptcy law allows for subsequent price reductions in subsequent rounds. However, the current asset valuation remains historically high for the Russian jurisdiction.