Gérard Depardieu star of a 4 million euro auction
Hotel Drout
September 26 and 27, 2023
Are you fond of the works of Niki de Saint Phalle, Picasso or even Dubuffet? On Tuesday September 26 and Wednesday September 27, an exceptional auction took place in Paris, organized by Ader: that of Gerard Depardieu's personal art collection. Among this collection were some of the most renowned artists in the art world, as well as others, more confidential and just as promising...
The sale took place at the Hôtel Drouot, in the 9th arrondissement. From Fernand Léger to Picasso via Redon, Dubuffet, Braque, Miro and Niki de Saint Phalle, there was something for all tastes and styles. In total, no less than 250 paintings, drawings and sculptures were exhibited, all styles and periods combined.
This unprecedented auction brought in big profits: the total balance sheet amounted to 4 million euros! One of the key pieces of this sale was a bronze by the famous sculptor Germaine Richier, estimated at a value of between 500,000 and 800,000 euros.
Far from having a speculative dimension in the first place, this collection was above all a reflection of the artistic sensitivity of the actor. “I always buy things that touch me,” he says. The latter wanted to put it up for auction in order to “lighten up a bit,” he declared to Le Parisien. Far from being confined to a particular movement or style, this collection testified to his artistic openness and his knowledge of the art world. It comes from his travels, his personal experiences or even his significant encounters, particularly in the world of cinema.
Strong and powerful, the works in this collection stand out due to their relationship to the material. Whether paintings or sculptures, all have this similarity. The actor explains it himself when talking about his collection: “Leroy is more than painting, it’s material”. Color, which always fascinated Depardieu, also had its place in the collection. Thus, eleven works from the Cobra movement, based on chromatic power, were offered to the public in this unique sale.
HOTEL DROUOT, Paris
September 26 and 27, 2023
Estimate: 3 to 5 million euros
