Costco Sells a Picasso

by Alex Russel

alex.russel@artschoolreview.com

Why buy a cheesy poster? If a fine art school student wants to decorate her dorm room with a Picasso and she can come up with the cash, she can find it at Costco.


Let it be said. Costco sells pretty much everything.

Art School Students Can Invest In a Picasso

The largest wholesale club operator in the U.S. is currently offering through its website an original crayon drawing by art legend Pablo Picasso, yours for only $129,999.99.


According to CNN, "Atelier De Cannes," offered by art dealer Jim Tutwiler, is signed and dated May 27, 1958 by Pablo Picasso. It has been authenticated by Picasso's daughter, Maya, and is expected to sell fast.


"I would be surprised if it stays on the site rest of the day," said Tutwiler to CNN.


Although it’s not the first Picasso to be sold in this manner, it is by far the most expensive. In January 2005, Costco sold another Picasso for just under $40,000.

Offbeat Costco Merchandise

Lately Costco has been gaining media attention by offering offbeat merchandise. Last year it began selling caskets in a handful of Chicago stores and in February the retailer sold a yellow diamond ring for $180,000.


But art school types probably have a limited budget. Costco is also offering lithographs from other well-known artists like Marc Chagall and Joan Miro for under $10,000 -- a relative bargain.

Fine Art From Sears

Costco isn't the first mass market retailer to delve into the fine arts. Terry Teachout, a critic for the Wall Street Journal, writes that in 1962, Sears hired actor Vincent Price, star of horror films “The Fly” and “House of Wax,” to promote a collection of fine art prints and lithographs.

Vincent Price Art School?

With Price as the spokesman, Sears, Roebuck & Co. sold Picassos and Chagalls, not to mention Rembrandts, Dürers, Goyas, Whistlers, Mondrians and Wyeths, "all of them bearing the imprimatur of a celebrated connoisseur who was better known for making…grisly movies," writes Teachout.


The Sears catalogue is of course a relic of the past, but in an era where you can buy anything on eBay, it’s not surprising that Costco is expanding its efforts to include everything but the kitchen sink: in this case, fine art.

About the Author

Alex Russel is a freelance writer living in Brooklyn, NY. Since graduating from Syracuse University he has worked at many different media companies in fields as diverse as film, TV, advertising, and journalism. He holds a dual bachelor's degree in English and History.

Sources

Wall Street Journal

CNN

Posted on October 10, 2005 at 11:13 PM