On 12 December 2014, UniCredit Bank and MasterCard Worldwide launched a joint project being a combination of VIP banking services and Ukrainian fine art. From then on, the Ukrainians would be able to use the unique World Elite™ MasterCard® featuring the painting “Carpathian Landscape” by one of Ukraine’s most successful and extraordinary artists Anatoly Kryvolap. For the first time in Ukraine, UniCredit presented superlative design of object d’art combined with exclusive financial benefits and privileges as well as private art investment consulting. This project became a perfect example of how Ukrainian business could wisely direct its efforts to support Modern art.
Kryvolap’s painting “March Evening” was set for a charity auction held as part of the launch event. This artwork was inspired by the catchy evening of an early spring. The auction was run by the British company “Red Art Galleries”, committed to promote Eastern European art internationally. The organizers suggested the reserve price and estimate to be cancelled, thus guests could purchase the painting for the price below its market value: the bidding started at $5000. Nevertheless the hammer price came down at $41000, setting a national record for the artist’s public auctions in Ukraine.