Despite the miserable economy, the heavily manipulated high-end art market keeps roaring. The super-rich boys enjoy their toys and the thrill of the hunt.

::::::::

"At $142MN, FRANCIS BACON PAINTING BECOMES
MOST EXPENSIVE WORK EVER SOLD

Francis Bacon's painting Three Studies of Lucian Freud became the most expensive work of art ever sold when it fetched $142.4 million in one of the biggest auctions in history at which Christie's sold more than $691 million worth of art.  Bacon's 1969 triptych easily eclipsed the $119.9 million price of Edvard Munch's The Scream, achieved in May last year at Sotheby's."  --- Reuters


Edvard Munch's Screamer is screaming
"What the hell does this mean?
I'm worth much more than Bacon's weirdo---
The price he fetched is obscene."

Bacon's Grandson-of-Freud replied
"I may look ugly as sin
but as long as the prices stay sky-high
for both of us it's a win

because Western art is overvalued
and so it must remain.
So put a sock inside your mouth...
You really shouldn't complain!"

"It's true," the anxious Screamer opined
as he dragged his body along.
"My fearful angst, your wretched mind---
we sing the same dark song."

"But what I actually fear the most
is that one day prices will plummet
and with Rembrandt, Monet, Picasso, Jeff Koons
and Grandma Moses we'll slum it."

    At Christie's they're gloating:
     "Our Bacon is the best.
      Munch can munch on bacon.
      His Screamer needs a rest.
      That guy is too depressed."

Authors Bio:

Walt Gelles is the author of Options: The Alternative Cancer Therapy Book (Avery/Penguin Random House). His articles and political verse have been published at GlobalResearch.ca, Countercurrents.org, OpEdNews, and other websites.