Press release : Press release - Auctions from August 13th to 16th, 2023
Press release - Auctions from August 13th to 16th, 2023
AGLAË, circa 1940
On Tuesday August 15th, Jean-Pierre Besch will be presenting some remarkable works, ranging from Impressionist to contemporary, some from prestigious private collections, including three by Georges ROUAULT (1871-1958).
Although linked to the Fauvist and Expressionist movements, this painter's work, which is difficult to classify, is also influenced by Christian art. According to him, "Everything is imponderable in the spiritual regions where the artist ventures, but there reigns an order truer than that of the controller of weights and measures". Georges Rouault followed a classical training, entering the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris and then joining Gustave Moreau's studio. In 1898, he was appointed Curator of the Gustave Moreau Museum alongside the most illustrious Fauvists.
Initially attracted by the fauvism that Henri Matisse, Albert Marquet and Henri Manguin introduced him to, he gradually detached himself from it to arrive at a more personal conception of his art, as can be seen in these 3 canvases with their simplified forms and strongly marked outlines, a characteristic pictorial style that has contributed so much to his international renown. Georges Rouault's oil on paper on canvas "Aglaé" has been shown in numerous exhibitions over the past 50 years in prestigious international galleries and institutions, including the Kunstmuseum Moritzburg, Halle, Germany in 2017. (Estimate €90,000/110,000). The gouache painted on an engraving background, "Fille au grand chapeau" was created in honour of Ambroise Vollard's book, "Les réincarnations du Père Ubu", which Georges Rouault was commissioned to illustrate. Rouault had a special relationship with Ambroise Vollard, who always supported him and, in 1917, bought his entire studio from him. Like "Fille au grand chapeau", the last ink and pastel on paper mounted on canvas, "Anouchka", has remained in the painter's family to this day. It has been exhibited at the famous Galerie Tamenaga in Paris, Tokyo and Osaka.
Another painter, and by no means the least, was Pablo PICASSO (1881-1973), whose unmistakeable style set him apart from previously established standards, and who, along with Georges Braque, created a movement that revolutionised pictorial art : cubism. Picasso invented, innovated and took an interest in all art forms, and it was only natural that he should turn to the art of ceramics from 1947 onwards. A year earlier, with Françoise Gillot, he had visited the Madura pottery in Vallauris run by Suzanne and Georges Ramié and was seduced by this multi-faceted art. He joined the Ramié team in July 1947 and experimented with new processes in all areas of ceramics. The "Taureau" jug that will be presented on August 15th, decorated by the artist's hand, was created in 1955 in Suzanne and Georges Ramié's Madoura workshops in Vallauris.
Fernand LEGER (1881-1955), one of the greatest names in Cubism, will also be present with a watercolour on paper signed with the FL monogram "La création du monde" in the lower left-hand corner. This is a costume for the ballet choreographed by Jean Borlin to a score by Darius Milhaud, a libretto by Blaise Cendrars and sets by Fernand Léger, for the Swedish ballets.
There are very few works by Jan ZRZAVY (1890-1977) on the art market, so it is exceptional to be able to present three works from the collection of Professor Édouard Dolléans, donated by the artist for taking him in at his Paris home in the 1930s.
Works by Nicolas de LARGILLIERE (1656-1746), Maurice de VLAMINCK (1876-1958), Léopold SURVAGE (1879-1968), Raoul DUFY (1877-1953), Joan MIRO (1893-1983), Victor VASARELY (1906-1997) and ABOUDIA (born 1983), among others, will complete this collection.
This sale will be followed on August 16th at 10.30am and again at 2pm by a sale of important diamonds, signed jewellery and collector's watches with Edouard Degaro, Expert, including a superb VAN CLEEF & ARPELS articulated mesh bracelet in platinum and gold, the "Ruban Bombé" model from the Haute Joaillerie Collection, and an extremely rare watch by F. P. JOURNE. P. JOURNE which is part of the special ruthenium series of the Octa Chronograph limited to 99 pieces with a curved round platinum case and a white gold dial coated with ruthenium. It was purchased in 2006 from Tufenkjian Frères in Lebanon, an authorised F.P. JOURNE dealer.
BESCH CANNES AUCTION - Maître Jean-Pierre BESCH, Commissaire-priseur habilité SVV n° 2002-034 Sis Résidence Grand Hôtel - 45, Boulevard de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes - Tel : 33 (0)4 93 99 22 60 - 33 (0)4 93 99 33 49 - Fax : 33 (0)4 93 99 30 03 - besch@cannesauction.com - www.cannesauction.com
Contact press : Isabelle de Puysegur - Tel : 33(0)6 60 57 58 78 - i.puysegur@wanadoo.fr
