It will be difficult to address such gaps

Guillaume Cerruti, CEO of Sotheby's France, book the "Echos" his gaze on the French art market and dysfunctions of Drouot.

Corporate malpractice at Drouot splash all of the actors in the art market

Sotheby's has not suffered from the scandal, our turnover in France jumped 87 in the first half. But I am concerned that as old as Drouot House is so weak. The development of the French art market through the presence in Paris of credible and dynamic competitors. I therefore agree with the point of view of the keeper of the seals which argues for a hotel of stronger sales, Editor's note.

In 2001, the French art market was opened to international competition. Within a decade, have maps been deeply redistributed

The most spectacular mutation is the globalization of the market. In previous decades the art market was essentially due to Western clients. For ten years, the massive influx of buyers Russian, Chinese, Indian, or from the countries of the Gulf upset the deal. In 2008, a third of the 100 most important customers of Sotheby's worldwide came from these geographic areas. This globalization brought the market to a record level in 2007: 48 billion euros of turnover, is more than twice the amount observed five years before. The crisis then made feel hard, with a contraction of the volume of sales of 40 in 2009 compared to 2007. Since the end of 2009, there has been a relief, but the economic context invites to remain cautious.

How has the French market evolved during this period

Until 2008, the market shares of the France in Europe and around the world have not ceased to be reduced to 12 per cent respectively, and 6 in 2008, against 18 and 9 in 2002. The gap with the two dominant countries - United States of America and United Kingdom s ' is dug and since 2007, China supplanted us as third power of the art market. Last year, the France has taken advantage of the outstanding sale of the Yves Saint Laurent - Pierre Bergé collection. But the erosion of our positions will probably resume his course, even if the first half of 2010 is encouraging. Recovery is less clear in Paris and in London and New York.

What are the features of the France

One gender is the very large number of traded goods: a work of art in five sold at auction in the world is in France. But the transactions are primarily works of relatively low value. More than a thousand of auctions in the fine arts surpassed the 1 million in 2007 at the global level, but barely 1 of these sales were for the France theatre. Finally nearly two thirds of the works sold in France are signed to French artists, while in the United States and the United Kingdom the proportion of national artists is significantly lower.

How do you explain this less "wholistic"

Until the 1950s, the France dominated the global art market. But it has not been able to preserve his position because companies of sufficient size. It is necessary now to have a network and an international marketing force as is the case for the Anglo-Saxon Christie's and Sotheby's, which, to them two, made a world of 4 billion euros turnover last year. Among the 13 most important houses of the auction of the world are now 7 Chinese companies, while the first of French origin point to the world 15erang. About 70 contain sales at Drouot, they totalled course 413 million euros in auctions, but each remains independent, Drouot is only an umbrella brand.

Why modernization of the art in France market soon it both

The recommendations of the report Bethenod to revitalize the date of the spring of 2008. But still, the proposed Act passed in this sense by the Senate in the fall of has not been entered in the program of the National Assembly. Early 2008, occupational authorities were yet agree to upgrade the market with the international standards. Since then, some dealers and gallery owners have expressed concerns about the possibility for the homes of the auction, to organize private sales. There were also complaints against Drouot which led the Government to conduct a mission to the art market. The reform became urgent.

What are the issues

The first is to be able to cope with globalization. The second is to understand how this market, beyond its economic dimension, irrigates multiple sectors, and crafts to the tourism and hospitality. The art market is a wonderful asset to increase the attractiveness of Paris. The France is a mythical land for art lovers, it has a large reservoir of works in private hands and account of active collectors in all fields.

Is the delay from London and New York markets now recoverable

The United Kingdom and the United States are each developing a volume of activity five or six times more important than the France. It will be difficult to address such gaps. Nevertheless, it is essential to modernize regulations to avoid a stall.