Press article : From Van Goyen to Jean Marais, top lots on the Croisette - La Gazette Drouot

Jan Van Goyen (1596-1656)
Sold : 106675€

Born in Leyde, Jan Van Goyen signed at the end of his life - that is in 1653 - this delicate landscape representing a River estuary with boats and fishermen (27,5x41,5cm). The work is quite representative of his meticulous vein, trying to describe the maritime and river panoramas of his native country. Should it be said that the wooden panel is indeed listed in the catalogue dedicated to this artist of the «golden age» by Hans-Ulrich Beck in 1973, in volume II (no. 714)... The work ended its race at 106675€.

In contrast, it was the boldest color that burst into a set of compositions due to the Bernard Buffet. Bouquets - necessarily -, such as the one composed ofImpatients in a pot brushed with oil on Isorel (46x38cm), dated 1992 and sold 56475€, or landscapes, such as the Environs de Cher, the green oak in autumn, the park of the Château de Vieille-Ville of 1975 (133,3x 89,5cm), a canvas bearing the stamp of Maurice Garnier which was acquired against 84100€. The Bois de Saint-Loup, near Brenac, the small bridge of the Moulin de Cressac (89x130cm), from the same year, was covered for 72790€. On the other hand, the Portrait of Monsieur Hervé Ségard (see Gazette n° 29, page 78) did not find a buyer.

Eugène Boudin was also at the rendezvous, through a view of Antwerp, three-masted painted dock in 1871; for this panel (28.8x44cm), we competed until 55220€... The vacation also paid tribute to the polymorphic talent of Jean Marais, with works from the collection of Jo Pasquali, the artist’s heir. On Saturday 15 August, with 7780€, a Bronze lion head signed and numbered «8/8» (54x47x15cm).

On Sunday, August 16, sparkled other treasures, of high jewelry this time... Following the example of a dome-shaped ring signed Van Cleef & Arpels; set with a belt of baguette diamonds enhanced with thirteen brilliant-cut diamonds, all for a total of about 8 ct, it attracted 26350€.

The floral art of Buffet

Which plants make up this dazzling bouquet of Flowers on a green background depicted by Bernard Buffet (1928-1999)? Mainly multicoloured lilies and blue carnations, on which a butterfly comes to rest. Dating from the last period of the artist - because it was created in 1998 -, the oil on canvas (65 x 50 cm) naturally displays the high angular signature characteristic of the master, down to the left. Coming from a theme that is again highly appreciated, it was able to claim a result of 97900€.

Graff Diamonds

150600€ : this is the price of this ring in platinum and gold, created by the house Graff, topped with an exceptional radiant diamond of «fancy intense yellow» color, weighing 9,32 cts. Of purity SI1, it is supported by two trapeze diamonds of about 0,50 ct for a gross weight of 7,41 g. Of the same origin, came for 26350€ a pendant in platinum and gold holding a diamond «fancy light yellow» (4,46 cts), as well as a pear diamond weighing about 0,50 ct, with its chain in white gold (40 cm), for a gross weight of 4,15 g.

Bright undergrowth

Henri Lebasque (1865-1937), who settled permanently in Provence in 1924, soon proved to be one of the best interpreters of the strong southern light, often subdued by the foliage of Mediterranean trees. They may form the frame of this scene titled Girls in the Glade, a signed canvas (38x46cm) which won 51455€. As for the Veranda on the beach of Cannes or Le Bar de la plage (46x55cm), which adorned the cover of the Gazette n° 29, it found taker at 33885€.

The universe of a sacred monster

Jean Marais (1913-1998) has, for more than sixty years, played in nearly a hundred films, including the unforgettable Beauty and the Beast shot by Jean Cocteau in 1946. A fantastic universe that seems to have influenced his work as a sculptor, where enigmatic faces and other corporeal elements gifted with a life of their own appear. Thus Les Quatre Mains, a bronze print with gold patina signed, of a print of eight copies by «Guyot Creste Fondeur». With a height of 33,5cm, this surrealist bouquet flourished for 6025€.

Article published in La Gazette Drouot N°30 from September 4, 2020 - Page 84