Zilkens'
News Blog
Dr. Stephan Zilkens comments weekly
on current events concerning art.
Dr. Stephan Zilkens comments weekly on current events concerning art. Subscribe for free
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Dr. Stephan Zilkens comments weekly
on current events concerning art.
Dr. Stephan Zilkens comments weekly on current events concerning art. Subscribe for free
Stephan Zilkens
,
The year 2025 begins with a sudden onset of winter and brings with it noticeable changes in many areas of life. In addition to the turn of the year, the main focus is on price increases driven by the preceding inflation. Not only everyday expenses are affected, such as visits to your favorite Italian restaurant, but also essential services such as post and insurance.
Car insurance companies in particular have raised their premiums significantly. The reason for this is the massive losses incurred over the past two years, which amount to several billion euros. Against the backdrop of winter road conditions, we appeal to all drivers to drive with extra caution. Also check that your tires bear the Alpine symbol, as since October 2024, vehicles without suitable winter tires have been exempt from liability in the event of accidents.
A positive ray of hope is the reduction in the VAT rate for the commercial art trade from 19% to 7% (excluding photography, exposed prints and light art), which came into force on January 1, 2025. Thanks to the insight of former Finance Minister Lindner, the disadvantages compared to artists, who continue to pay only 7% tax, and other cultural providers such as publishers, theaters and concert organizers have been reduced. Particularly in the international art trade, for example in comparison to France with its tax rate of 5.5%, competitiveness was maintained.
Many German art dealers postponed sales to the beginning of January at the request of their customers, which enabled buyers to make savings, in some cases in the six-figure range. The reduction in VAT and the postponement of sales increase expectations for 2025 and at the same time shed new light on the balance sheets of the art market in 2024. In this context, the current issue of Kobel's Art Week is particularly recommended: In a concluding review, Stefan Kobel takes a comprehensive look at the auction market of the past year.
Art Highlights of 2025:
Some outstanding exhibition dates invite you to enjoy art and culture to the full.
The Moritzburg Art Museum in Halle (Saale) is showing an impressive exhibition on the early Renaissance in Central Germany until March 2.
At the Haus der Kunst in Munich, you can discover the fascinating works of the French art magician Philippe Parreno until May 25.
At the same time, the Fondation Beyeler in Basel is presenting works by Hilma af Klint and Edvard Munch from January 26 to May 25.
Between March 16 and September 28, the Museum Reinhard Ernst in Wiesbaden invites you to experience the magnificent color field paintings of Helen Frankenthaler.
From June 13 to October 12, the Hamburger Kunsthalle is showing an exciting combination of Surrealism and German Romanticism.
With this outlook, the team at Zilkens Fine Art Insurance Broker GmbH in Solothurn and Cologne wishes you a successful start to the first working week of 2025!
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