$136 million for a Klimt, $71.7 million for an Andy Warhol... It s not that art is expensive, but rather that money has become cheap for certain collectors Russian oligarchs, Chinese, and American hedge-fund managers. Collections are being redistributed to new fortunes around the world. Sophisticated marketing campaigns, the most luxurious parties, a new wealthy elite passionate about art cross paths to compete for paintings now considered trophies.

At present, details like who s selling what and which auction house is organizing the sale play an important role in sums fetched. The goal is paradoxical: always pay more. Worth of Art (2) offers an inside and outside view on an art world nourished by excess.