Press release : Arts passion - December 30, 2024

Raoul DUFY 1877-1953
"La fenêtre ouverte à Cannes", 1942

On December 30, in Cannes, Maître Besch will offer an eclectic selection of artworks ranging from Impressionist to contemporary, from the Côte d'Azur to Eastern Europe.

A never-before-seen collection by the Polish artist Jan Lebenstein, whose works illustrate a fantastic and monstrous bestiary, will sit alongside a rediscovered collection by Raoul Dufy, which is luminous and gives pride of place to Mediterranean landscapes and scenes.

The end-of-year sale will conclude with a focus on tableware and the 7th Art, with a selection of unique tableware created each year for the members of the Cannes Film Festival jury by the Palme d'Or restaurant (a Michelin-starred gourmet restaurant in the Hotel Martinez in Cannes).

Jan Lebenstein (1933-1999) : A collection never seen before

An exceptional collection of artworks by the famous Polish painter, renowned for his surrealist and expressionist style, has been assembled by a great art lover and close friend of the artist. These works, most of which were acquired directly from Jan Lebenstein, had never left the family circle until now. The Zacheta-Warsaw National Art Gallery, a leading institution for contemporary art in Poland, has regularly exhibited the work of renowned Polish artists, and Lebenstein's exhibition in 1992 marked an important moment in the recognition of his work in his native country.

5 paintings from our collection were presented at the "Jan Lebenstein 22 April-22 May 1992" exhibition. Each comes with a loan certificate from the Zacheta gallery.

Jan LEBENSTEIN 1930-1999 « LONGCHAMPS, 1971 »

Oil/ acrylic on canvas signed and dated lower left, countersigned, titled and dated on the back - 162,5 x 130 cm - Exhibition : "Jan LEBENSTEIN" ZACHETA, WARSAW 22 APRIL - 22 MAY 1992

Estimate : 20 000/30 000€

Raoul DUFY (1877-1953), painter of light

Raoul Dufy, "the painter of colour and light", is known for his distinctive style and dynamic, joyful compositions. Greatly inspired by the Côte d'Azur, where he spent a long time, he sublimated Mediterranean landscapes through simplified forms. Several of his works echo this, including a rediscovered collection donated by a family friend living in the Cimiez district of Nice. Most of these works have never left the family. This collection is enriched by a work by a lover of the artist and of Cannes, entitled "La fenêtre ouverte à Cannes, 1942" ("The window open in Cannes, 1942").

Raoul DUFY 1877-1953 – « FENÊTRE OUVERTE À CANNES, 1942 » Gouache and watercolour signed lower right, bears estate inventory no. 540 on verso - 65 x 50 cm - Provenance : Private collection

Estimate : 35 000/40 000€

Cannes International Film Festival : Tableware for the opening dinners at the Palme d'Or, the gourmet restaurant of the Hotel Martinez

Emblematic Cannes building, the hôtel Martinez proudly bears its 8 letters overlooking the Bay of Cannes and the Croisette. Synonymous with luxury, refinement and haute cuisine, every year it hosts the opening dinner for the members of the Cannes Film Festival jury. Over the years (from 1910 to 2023), plates have been specially designed, inspired by the presidents of the jury and their films : Tim Burton with ‘Alice in Wonderland’, Robert de Niro with ‘Casino’, Spike Lee with ‘Malcolm X’ and Vincent Lindon, president of the jury for the 75th edition of the festival. The tableware on offer is unique, inventive and original, and pays tribute to some of the most famous names who have walked on the Cannes red carpet.

Tableware from the Cannes International Film Festival - "La Palme d'Or" restaurant

ARTS PASSION - Paintings - Sculptures - Decorative Arts’ sale on December Monday 30 at 2.30pm in the lounges of the Hôtel Martinez in Cannes.

Exhibition of the lots in the lounges of the Hôtel Martinez Cannes December Saturday 28 from 10.30am to 7pm, Sunday 29 from 10.30am to 7pm, Monday from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

For further information on this exceptional auction, please contact Maître Besch on 00.33.(0)4.93.99.33.49 or by e-mail at besch@cannesauction.com