Rostropovich auction bought outright

A Russian billionaire has paid more than £20m for an art collection owned by late cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, days before it was due to be auctioned.

Alisher Usmanov, a mining and metals magnate and Arsenal Football Club investor, said he stepped in to keep the 450 artworks together in Russia.

Sotheby's has cancelled its London auction, where the items were due to be sold individually later this week.

Posted by David on September 17, 2007 9:50 PM