Van Gogh Reborn!

Chapter 16

Henry Marceau stared at Ko Hun while waiting for the exhibition staff.

He thought of him as a child who didn't know anything about the outside world.

However, after a short conversation, the little boy who seemed to have no sense of reality looked a little different.

Ko Hun did not say how great his painting was.

He did not explain at all what it meant and with what technique he made it and what materials he used.

He said recognizing it was up to Henry Marceaus insight and he also said that the true value of [Sunflowers] entirely depends on Henry himself.

It wasn't the selfishness nor arrogance of new painters.

This means hes here to sell.'

The picture of the kid was worth it.

A single sunflower that shines as if it has swallowed the sun.

Henry Marceau couldn't even take his eyes off the painting.

He used classical techniques, but the resulting painting was completely a unique piece of art that was out of this world.

It's just a simple still picture that rarely appears in the market, but he felt the vitality and the will of the sunflower, which shone within the blank background.

Director Lee Junho, who could not hide his excitement entered the Exhibition Hall 3.

Good evening Sir, My name is Lee Junho, the director of the Seoul Art Exhibition.

Henry Marceau saw Ko Sooyeol and Jang Mirae walking slowly behind the Director without looking at Lee Junho.

Henry Marceau, who wrote and signed the check for 2 million euros, gave it to Director Lee Junho and went all the way to Ko Sooyeol.

Its hard to meet you Sir.

Marceau. What are you doing here?"

Ko Sooyeol looked at Henry Marceau and he glanced at the place where [sunflower] was placed.

I came to buy a painting of Ko Sooyeol, but came across a masterpiece I never expected.

You seem to have educated your grandson very well. I am looking forward to his work in the future.

Henry Marceau looked at Director Lee Junho who was surprised and said.

I will come and pick it up on the last day of the exhibition. Take good care of it.

"Excuse me.? What were you saying.?

Director Lee Junho, who could not understand French, so he was confused, but Henry Marceau did not pay any attention to him.

He simply glanced at Ko Hun, who was sitting next to [Sunflower] for a moment, and then left the exhibition hall.

After getting into the car, he waited for his secretary while puffing a cigar.

Arsene, the secretary, who returned from dealing with the painting transaction with the Seoul Art Museum, asked.

We came all the way here to meet Mr Ko Sooyeol, then wouldnt it be better to buy his painting rather than buying the [sunflower]?

" I have lost interest in Ko Sooyeols painting."

Henry Marceau rubbed the tip of his nose, while blowing out smoke through the window of the car, thinking only of Ko Hun and the sunflower.

__________

Sold

I. I sold the painting.'

I can't explain it other than being lucky, but luck is also good.

Excluding props, back then I sold only one painting in 10 years, but now I have sold my first painting within weeks of painting it.

To meet someone who recognizes me and my paintings.

I don't know what to do with this overwhelming feeling.

But grandpa's expression is not good.

Whats wrong grandpa?

"nothing.

There seems to be something bothering him.

Arent you happy?

Perhaps..

Grandpa, a noble painter, might misunderstand me when I say that I paint to sell.

If you can't sell your paintings, you live a miserable life, and the act of selling paintings is also a proof of communication.

I am still young, so he may want me to pursue art more purely than pursuing money.

While I was thinking like this and wondering how to persuade him.

Grandpa clenched his fists and murmured.

That money spitting punk

Jang Mirae laughed seeing Grandpa.

While I was bewildered by the reaction of the two, Jang Mirae whispered into my ear.

Your Grandpa said he wanted to buy your first painting.

Hah.There is no degree to the extreme love for his grandson.

Someone who said you shouldnt use money between family members, seems to have wanted to buy my painting with the money.

He seems to be quite upset.

His facial expression is grim.

If grandpa had bought it, no one would have approved my art.

Whats wrong with buying a painting that I like with my own money?

In spite of being in a high position, the person who has always been polite and rational, suddenly does weird things when it comes to me.

And why must it be him?

"Yeah. Still, he offered 2 million euros, I think he really liked Huns paintings.

No. Hun suggested the amount.

Reporter Kim Jiwoo intervened.

Grandpa and Jang Mirae stared at Kim Jiwoo and widened their eyes.

He said 100,000 euros at first.

The eyes of the two of them seemed to pop out at any moment.

I didnt know what they were talking about because it was French, but the two of them talked for some time. It was a very intense conversation.

Jang Mirae cut reporter Kim Jiwoo's words and pushed her face towards me. 

What were you thinking? What if he said he wont buy it.?

I thought he was going to buy it no matter what.

"Huh?"

Its the best [sunflower] he has ever seen.

"yes he was just staring at it for a while.

Kim Jiwoo muttered.

Hun, Did you know how much 2 million euros is?

I tried to get 1 billion won because 100,000 euros was 140 million won. They said 50 percent should be given to the museum.

Grandpa blinked.

Can I pay grandpa back now?

"no."

Grandpa stuttered as if he was bewildered.

You promised. You will take it if I pay back a billion won."

Are you sure he paid 2 million euros because of your words?

"Yes."

This boy! This grandpa told you not to worry about money, so what if you can earn it or not.!

Wouldnt it be nice to sell it at a high price?

Who told you to make money?

It's the first time I've ever seen him grumpy like this.

If you want one, Ill draw another one.

There is only one! Your first work on your first exhibition! Do you think it will become  [sunflower] if you draw it the same way?

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Little Hun, Dont you feel sorry for your Grandpa. How about this.? Lets just return the money.

"Waitfor a moment! What does it mean?  Please tell me in detail. What do you mean by paying back?"

I became mentally tired because of dealing with Grandfather and Kim Jiwoo rather than dealing with Henry Marceau.

[Henry Marceau, collectible added. Ko Sooyeol's grandson's painting was purchased for 2 million euros]

Henry Marceau, a world-class painter and art collector, bought Ko Hun's [Sunflower] for 2 million euros at the Seoul Museum of Art on the 15th.

The transaction between the two happened in the exhibition hall.

Koh Hun rejected Henry Marceau's first offer of 100,000 euros and asked for 2 million euros.

Henry Marceau accepted it and the deal was made.

The amount of more than 2.8 billion won is the largest for any painting traded in South Korea this year.

[Sunflower] will be displayed in the Exhibition Hall 3 of the Seoul Art Museum until the 20th of this month and will be delivered to Henry Marceau.

The Seoul Museum of Art has announced that it will deploy security guards throughout the exhibition period to protect the highly priced [Sunflower].

Meanwhile, Ko Hun, who painted [Sunflower], is the grandson of the painter Ko Sooyeol, and sold his first artwork at his first exhibition.

Link to Ko Huns interview

Kim Jiwoo (Yehwa)

___________

The art world was taken aback by the news that celebrity Henry Marceau, whose personal wealth is estimated to be over $1 billion, had bought a painting from Korea.

Showing off his outstanding skills and enormous wealth, he was famous for being strict about art and also known for his arrogance.

Just buying a painting of a 10-year-old child is newsworthy, but it is a surprise to hear that he spent 2 million euros.

Articles uploaded to the monthly Yehwa SNS account was copied and distributed countless times by journalists.

The news was delivered not only to people in the art world, but also to general community sites.

-Crazy ?????? A 10-year-old boy sold his painting for 2.8 billion? Who is he?

-Ko Soo-yeol. Who is he? I think I've heard the name.

-He is a little known in Korea, but is very popular abroad.

-He is the son of Ko Hae and Lee Soojin the directors of Max Art Studio.

-werent those two dead?

-They passed away in a car accident while they were on vacation in Korea this summer.

????? It's unfortunate.

-I feel sorry for him

-No. but is it real? No matter how famous his grandfather is, how can he get 2.8 billion?

-Henry Marceau said that he bought it on the spot as soon as he saw it.

-??? How do you make 2.8 billion won from one painting?

-I don't know if the picture is good. Aren't the painters are people who put a dot and say its a billion won????????

-[Link] Click here to see the picture.

-This is the painting of the ten-year-old kid over there. ?????Dont say anything just because you want to say something. Stop being an irresponsible adult. 

People who were not interested in art were surprised to learn that a 10-year-old child sold his painting for 2.8 billion won.

Among the top painters, some were envious and some were jealous, but most of them reacted negatively.

It was because of their skepticism about modern art works that refused to communicate.

-I really don't lie, for a painting without any background, It is very expensive?????????????

-wooow. We have a victim here.???????

I don't know much about painting, but it was really well drawn.?

-If you are not knowledgeable at painting, how can you say that.??

People who encountered Ko Huns [sunflowers] were bewildered.

It wasn't the incomprehensible picture they had in mind.

The moment they saw it, they felt some kind of warmth in their heart.

Although it looked lonely, the noble and shining sunflower was conveyed in a complex way that could not be explained.

As the [sunflower] became known, the number of people who were interested in Ko Hun, who painted  [Sunflower], naturally began to increase.