ArticleApril 26, 2016
In November 2015, Chinese collector Liu Yiqian spent $170.4 million, the second-largest amount ever spent on an artwork bought at auction, on the purchase of Nu Couché by Italian painter Amodeo Modigliani. People like him are driving the attention of both the media and the world’s biggest auction houses toward China. But the nation’s art scene is also flourishing domestically as Chinese artists gain international acclaim and both galleries and museums open all over the country—China has seen over 100 new museums a year every year since 2008. Eventually, the burgeoning Chinese art market means serious money, and also an incredibly richer cultural scene.