Paris

Art exhibitions, fairs, auction results, and collecting stories connected with Paris. Coverage follows the works, artists, and cultural events appearing in the city’s galleries and salerooms.

Rembrandt Bugatti Bronze Sculpture Sets World Record, Selling for €3,678,400 at Bonhams Auction

Detail of Rembrandt Bugatti’s Trois panthères marchant, showing a bronze panther’s head and extended foreleg.

In a thrilling auction event, a remarkable bronze sculpture by Rembrandt Bugatti has set a new world record, fetching an impressive €3,678,400 at Bonhams’ Impressionist and Modern Sale on June 5, 2024. The 69-lot auction, which amassed a total of €5,207,738, witnessed fierce bidding for this iconic piece, culminating in enthusiastic applause when the hammer finally fell.

Meissen Porcelain Prices Surge, Nearly Doubling Pre-Sale Estimates

Meissen porcelain group showing a seated woman, a standing man and a small dog on an ornate table.

The highlight of the auction was an extraordinarily rare Meissen group of lovers with a birdcage, which sold for €171,850, more than quadrupling its low estimate. This piece, first documented in the work records of J.J. Kaendler in March 1741, captivated bidders with its historical significance and intricate craftsmanship. Another standout item was a rare Meissen crinoline figure of a lady from around 1737, which fetched €127,400, exceeding its low estimate by over six times.

Zdzisław Beksiński’s Artwork Fetches Nearly €100,000 at Surrealist Sale in Paris

Painting by Zdzisław Beksiński showing tall red and orange architectural forms against a pale blue-green sky.

Zdzislaw Beksinski (1929-2005), the renowned Polish artist, continues to captivate art enthusiasts worldwide as one of his significant pieces, an oil on panel, soared to a remarkable €91,840 at the recent Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr Surrealist Sale in Paris on March 27, 2024. The painting, which had a pre-sale estimate ranging from €50,000 to €70,000, emerged as one of the highlights of the event, drawing attention for its profound artistic expression.

Musée d’Arts de Nantes Acquires Jane Graverol’s Painting for Over €71,000

Detail of "Le bon bout de la raison" by Jane Graverol, showing an owl between two lit candles.

In a notable display of support for female artists, the Musée d’Arts de Nantes (France) exercised its right under French law to pre-empt the final bids on three paintings at the recent Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr Surrealist Sale in Paris. The museum’s proactive stance in securing these artworks highlights its commitment to promoting gender diversity in the arts and enriching its collection with significant contributions from women artists.

Protesters Throw Soup at Mona Lisa Amidst French Farmer Demonstrations | VIDEO

Yellow splashes on glass in front of a framed portrait.

In a bold act of protest, two climate activists from the “Food Riposte” group targeted the iconic Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum in Paris on Sunday. As they hurled soup at the protective glass encasing Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, the activists passionately advocated for a sustainable food system, questioning the prioritization of art over the right to healthy and sustainable food. The incident unfolded in a video shared on social media, featuring two women adorned with “FOOD RIPOSTE” on their T-shirts breaching security barriers to approach the painting. Their impassioned slogans echoed concerns about the agricultural system, claiming it to be ailing and causing harm to farmers. Louvre employees swiftly responded by placing black panels in front of the Mona Lisa and evacuating the room.

Lucie Rie’s Ceramic Bowl Shatters Records, Sells for €406,800 at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr Auction in Paris

Pink footed bowl by Lucie Rie with fine vertical grooves, a dark rim, and a turquoise band.

In a riveting event at the Ceramic Masterpieces sale in Paris on Tuesday, December 6, 2023, a Footed bowl by Lucie Rie (1902-1995) stole the spotlight, executed circa 1980 with inlaid pink radiating lines, turquoise, and manganese bands. The intense bidding war that ensued saw the bowl fetching an astonishing €406,800, nearly 10 times its initial estimate of €40,000-60,000, setting a new world auction record for the renowned artist.

Notre-Dame Cathedral: Rising from the Ashes with Global Solidarity

Notre-Dame Cathedral during the 2019 fire.

In the heart of Paris, where history and artistry intertwine, a monumental effort is underway, one that embodies the resilience of human spirit and international solidarity. The Notre-Dame Cathedral, an architectural masterpiece that stood witness to centuries of history, faced a catastrophic trial on April 15, 2019, when a fierce blaze consumed its iconic spire and wooden roof, sending shockwaves across the globe.