2022 Auction News from Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr, 6 Av. Hoche, 75008 Paris, France. Based in Avenue Hoche, Paris, with an impressive saleroom in Brussels, Cornette de Saint Cyr is famous throughout the auction world for its high-profile single-owner sales
REBEL SPIRITS Non-Conformist art at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr in Paris on 8 November
Rebel spirits
Non-conformist art from Important European collections 8 Nov 2022 Paris, Rue de la Paix
Paris – A new sale Rebel Spirits: Non-Conformist Art from Important European Collections will be held at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr on 8 November 2022 in Paris. The auction will feature more than 70 paintings by artists such as Oscar Yakovlevich Rabin, Vasily Yakovlevich Sitnikov, Vladimir Weisberg, Eduard Arkadievich Steinberg, Oleg Tselkov, Ilya Kabakov, many of whom are part of a diaspora forced to leave their homeland as a result of persecution.
The art authorised by the Soviet regime was Socialist Realism which consisted of figurative art depicting workers, the working classes, and the defenders of the regime in heroic postures. Any other artistic trend that contravened the official style was banned and considered ‘degenerate’. Opposed to Socialist Realism, these artists were united by their rejection of a state-imposed art movement rather than any other defining characteristics, and so were grouped together without forming a school. They were not bound by any manifesto and took multiple paths. In 1974, a group of artists, who were prevented from showing their work in officially sanctioned exhibitions, decided to show their drawings in the street, Oscar Rabin was among them. Repression was not long in coming: the Soviet authorities sent bulldozers and destroyed all the works on display.
Persecuted, many non-conformist artists were forced to leave their native land for Europe or the United States. At the end of the 1980s, painters such as Ilya Kabakov, Erik Boulatov, Oscar Rabin and Vladimir Yankilevsky went to New York or settled in Paris.
Oscar Yakovlevich Rabin (1928-2018) followed in the footsteps of Chaïm Soutine or Marc Chagall, with his views of urban life in a style between Expressionism and Realism. Inspired by everyday life, his works comprise still lifes, landscapes -such as the barracks in the Moscow suburb, Lianozovo – packets of Marlboro cigarettes, bottles of vodka and herrings, often using them as objects with which to criticise Soviet life. This gave him a reputation for being the “leader” of artistic dissent in Russia. Bouquet in a Landscape at Lianozovo is a still life from 1957 from the Vladimir Nemukhin collection (estimate: €50,000 – 70,000).
Vasily Yakovlevich Sitnikov (1915-1987) is a Russian-born artist who became a naturalised American in 1980. His works were marked by his stay in a psychiatric hospital. Recognised by major institutions after his emigration to the United States, including the MoMA, Sitnikov’s idiosyncratic personal style deliberately depicts objects in an indistinct way. Monastery is a tempera-on-canvas that, according to Sitnikov’s autobiography, was “roughly” sketched by his student and wife, Lidia Krokhina, and then finished by the artist. The painting was acquired directly from the artist by Professor Franco Miele in Rome (estimate: €60,000 – 80,000).
Vladimir Yankilevsky (1938-2018) mixes abstraction and figuration for his mixed media works. Born in Moscow into a family of artists, he held his first solo exhibition at Moscow University in 1962. It was at this time that he met his future wife, Rimma, who became his muse and the subject of his many works. During these years, he earned a living as an illustrator for publishing houses, while all the time working in secret in his studio on his non-conformist art. Vladimir and Rimma decided to settle in Paris. Yankilevsky is famous for his mixed media collages, triptychs and installations. From the Ville is a 1991 work on paper previously exhibited in the artist’s retrospective at the Tretyakov Gallery in 1996 (estimate: €4,000 – 6,000).
Partly self-taught, having been expelled from prestigious art schools before joining the Faculty of Theatrical Arts in St. Petersburg, Oleg Tselkov (born 1934) found his subject very early on: all his life he painted what he himself called “faces”. The artist claimed that at a young age he had an epiphany that became his guiding principle: that the essence of humanity was neither mask nor face, but something difficult to describe, rather a composite portrait of the aggressive and anonymous crowd. Two Green Heads from a private collection in San Francisco is an oil on canvas estimated at €24,000 – 34,000.
Other highlights of the sale included:
• In the 1960s, Eduard Arkadievich Steinberg (1937-2012) used a lightened palette and images of organic forms. Then these forms were replaced by the cross, the circle, the triangle, the square, the prism and the sphere. Composition dated November 1978 comes from the Claude Bernard Gallery in New York and is offered with an estimate of €10,000 to €12,000.
• Ilya Kabakov (born 1933), who calls himself a Soviet artist, deviates from the Socialist Realist path, recreating in his installations the psychological effects of an ongoing struggle with ideology. The work in the sale is Istoria Anni Petrovni (Many friends were in Crimea this summer is from the album Anna Petrovna has a dream from 1973 and has an estimate of €8,000 – 10,000.
Daria Khristova, Head of Sale, said: “Long in the shadows, non-conformist artists were previously supported by a network of admirers throughout Europe, especially Paris. Now they have been rediscovered in recent years by a much wider audience, with their works on display in many museums around the world such the Centre Georges Pompidou. Now is the time to put the spotlight on these artists who, for so many years, battled against the authorities to make their voice heard.”
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Important Tapestries Commissioned by Cardinal Mazarin at Bonhams Inaugural Paris Classics Sale
17 November, Paris – Four tapestries on a Bacchanalian theme commissioned by Cardinal Mazarin and presented as a diplomatic gift by Louis XIV to the First Minister of Spain Don Luis Méndez de Haro, Marquis de Carpio lead Bonhams’ Classics sale in Paris on Thursday 17 November. They are estimated at €70,000-100,000.
The gift marked the signing of the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659 which followed the inconclusive ending of the Franco-Spanish War of 1648-1659. Mazarin – the consummate diplomat who served Louis XIII and Louis XIV as First Minister for more than 20 years – ensured that the French came out on top in the negotiations. It was the last great diplomatic triumph of his career before his death two years later.
Mazarin was also an important patron of the arts and keenly appreciated the role of art in diplomacy. The panels in the sale were part of a set of seven he had commissioned from the Manufactures de Louvre in 1648. They were smaller copies of the Bacchanalia set made for Francois I between 1530-1535. Their completion in 1659 coincided with the ending of the peace negotiations and, at Louis XIV’s request, they were offered as a diplomatic gift to the Marquis de Carpio. The gesture slightly backfired as the Spanish First Minister later disposed of them complaining that the figures were too small.
The four panels are entitled A concert of Satyrs and Maenads; Council of the Gods and Goddesses; The Procession of Silenus and The Companions of Bacchus. The original designs for the set made for Francois I were almost certainly executed by Giulio Romano and Barthélémy Guetty. Made in a factory in Brussels, they were woven in silk and enhanced with gold. (The original panels re destroyed in 1797 during the First Revolutionary period in a fruitless attempt to extract the precious metal).
Nette Megens, Bonhams Director of Decorative Arts for Europe and UK, said: “These wonderful panels represent an intriguing and significant discovery and demonstrate the importance of arts in European diplomacy in the 17th century. Mazarin, who was the second most powerful man in France – after the King – for 20 years, was a great patron of the arts and well understood the power of art as a diplomatic tool.”
Other highlights of the sale, which consists of 160 lots, include:
• Pair of brown calf leather gloves reputedly worn by Marshal Ney during the retreat of Napoleon’s Grande Armée from Moscow in 1812. Ney (1769-1815) rose from humble beginnings to become one of Napoleon’s eighteen marshals of the Empire. A veteran of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars, he led the III Corps of La Grande Armée into Russia in April 1812 and distinguished himself at the battle of Borodino. When the army started to retreat, Ney, resisting pressure to surrender, managed to guide his troops over the frozen River Dnieper much to Napoleon’s relief: ‘…”At last, I have saved my eagles! I have three hundred millions in francs at the Tuileries. I’d give up the lot to save Ney. What a soldier… truly the bravest of the brave!”…’ The gloves, which were once in the celebrated Napoleonic era collection of Bernard Franck, are estimated at €7,000-9,000.
• A German silver and silver gilt figural (Jungfern) Wager Cup by Christoff Ritter II of Nuremberg circa 1660. This type of marriage or wager cup originated in Nuremberg around 1565. It is a double drinking vessel, or Scherzgefäss, used in a wedding banquet; a skirt-shaped large cup is for the groom and the smaller swivel cup is for the bride. The contents were to be consumed at the same time, making sure not to spill a drop, to bring prosperity and a happy marriage. Estimate: €10,000-15,000.
• The Death of Dido by Frans Francken II (Anvers 1581-1642). Virgil tells the tragic love story of Dido and Aeneas in his epic poem The Aeneid. On his return journey from the Trojan War, the hero Aeneas is washed ashore in Carthage and welcomed by the Queen, Dido. Francken’s painting depicts the dramatic moment where grief-stricken Dido, abandoned by her lover has built a funeral pyre and taken her own life. Estimate: €25,000-30,000.
• Pair of Louis XVI carved and giltwood torchères in the manner of Georges Jacob, late 18th – early 19th century. These finely carved torchères, or tripods for vases reflect the late 1770s fashion for decorating the grand ‘Salons’ in Paris. They are related to four stands commissioned for every corner of the ‘Salon de Musique’ of Comtesse Marie-Léopoldine Pálffy, Princess Kinsky (d.1794) following the building of her hôtel in rue St-Dominique in Paris in 1770. Estimate: €40,000-60,000
• David and Abigail; Jael showing Barak the body of Sisera by the Master of the Adoration of Anvers (circa 1505-1530). Estimate: €25,000-35,000.
• A large and rare Vienna white figure of the Apostle Paul, third quarter 18th century. A different, slightly larger white Vienna figure of the Apostle Paul, dated 1744-49, is in the Museum für Angewandte Kunst, Vienna. Estimate €4,000-6,000.
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Paris, 5 May 2022 Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr – Three generations of collecting by distinguished French dynasty
Paris – Bonhams Paris and Cornette de Saint Cyr are proud to announce the auction of the outstanding Rousset Family private collection in Paris this autumn. The sale of The Robert & Jean-Pierre Rousset Collection of Asian Art: A Century of Collecting will take place in Paris at Cornette de Saint Cyr, Avenue Hoche, on Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 October. The collection consists of more than 300 lots, with highlights from Asia and the ancient world ranging from China, Japan, South-East Asia, Africa, Oceania, and Europe.
A selection of pieces will be exhibited during the Printemps Asiatique event in Paris from 8 to 16 June 2022 at Cornette de Saint Cyr.
Asaph Hyman, Bonhams Global Head of Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, said: “It is a great honour to have been entrusted with the Rousset Family Private Collection. The exceptional quality and rarity of the pieces is testament to the superb eye and knowledge which has characterised the Rousset name for three generations. The sale of the Rousset private family collection is a landmark event.”
Jean-Luc Estournel and Marie-Catherine Daffos, Cornette de Saint Cyr experts (Asian Arts and Tribal Art), said: “It is rare to encounter a private collection of such high quality. We know that Asian art collectors the world over will relish the opportunity to compete for rarities with such outstanding provenance.”
For more than a century, the name Rousset has been synonymous with scholarship, excellence and taste in the world of Asian Art. In 1920 Robert Rousset visited the Forbidden City in Beijing which sparked his lifelong passion for Asian art. This led to him acquiring the Compagnie de la Chine et des Indes, a gallery which was subsequently run by three generations of the Rousset family: Robert (1901-1982); Jean-Pierre Rousset (1936-2021), Hervé du Peuty, Jean-Pierre’s nephew and Mike Winter-Rousset, who is bringing his family’s private collection to sale. The gallery closed its doors for the final time in 2021.
Through their scholarship, expertise and pioneering advocacy of Asian and Ancient art, the Rousset dynasty played tastemaker to generations of collectors across the world, especially in France and the US, where Robert established a gallery in New York in 1946.
The Rousset family were, however, not only gallerists; they were avid and sophisticated collectors as witnessed by Robert’s generous donations to Musée Guimet in Paris which included his exceptional collection of Chinese funerary figures that are on permanent display.
Mike Winter-Rousset, who ran Compagnie de la Chine et des Indes with his cousin Hervé du Peuty at 39 avenue Friedland from 1984 until he retired in 2021, added: “The passion for Asian art has run through my family ever since Robert Rousset made his life-changing visit to the Forbidden City more than 100 years ago accompanied by the famous Swedish specialist Osvald Sirén. I grew up surrounded by these wonderful pieces and they represent many happy memories for me but now is the time for other people to enjoy them as much as I and my family have over the decades.”
Arnaud Cornette de Saint Cyr said: “The sale of the Rousset private family collection is a major event in the world of Asian art and we are delighted to be partnering with Bonhams and Jean-Luc Estournel and Marie-Catherine Daffos to present this eagerly anticipated event.”
Catherine Yaiche, Bonhams Managing Director, France, said: “The Rousset name is legendary not only in France but across the world. It is a big vote of confidence to have been awarded such a prestigious sale, in partnership with our friends at Cornette de Saint Cyr.”
Highlights of the sale include:
An important and exceptionally rare large wood figure of a Bodhisattva Jin Dynasty (1115 – 1234 AD). The present Bodhisattva can be recognised as Avalokiteshvara, known in China as Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. The gentle expression, modelled with gently inward-turning gaze, emphasises the Bodhisattva’s powers as a comforter, while the naturalistic modelling of body and dress stress nearness and accessibility. Estimate: €1,000,000-1,500,000.
An important and extremely rare large stone head of a Bodhisattva Northern Qi Dynasty (550 – 577 AD). Elegantly proportioned and delicately carved, the present head is a remarkable example of the high standards achieved in Buddhist portraiture during the Northern Qi period, one of the most vibrant periods in the history of Chinese art. Estimate: €200,000-300,000.
An important and exceptionally rare huanghuali inscribed documentary stone-top table. Late Ming Dynasty (16th century). As the poetic inscription on the table suggests, it would have been suitable for playing the qin, a Chinese zither musical instrument or for reading, aiding in study and serving the court. The seal may relate to the famous painter, calligrapher and poet, Wen Zhengming (1470 – 1559). Estimate: €120,000-150,000.
An archaic bronze ritual vessel and cover, fang hu. Mid Western Zhou Dynasty (circa 10th-9th century BC). The exceptional ritual vessel was used to store wine for the need of the deceased in the afterlife. It is superbly decorated with a monster mask below stylised birds and elephant-shaped handles. Estimate: €120,000-180,000.
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London, 28 June 2022 – Bonhams, the global auction house, has acquired Cornette de Saint Cyr, the French auction house. Financial terms are not being disclosed. Cornette de Saint Cyr will now be known as Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr.
Established in 1973, Cornette de Saint Cyr is a much-respected auction house founded by Pierre Cornette de Saint Cyr. Pierre’s sons, Arnaud, the CEO, and Bertrand, Head of Valuations and Collections, continue the family tradition by remaining with Cornette.
Based in Avenue Hoche, Paris, with an impressive saleroom in Brussels, Cornette de Saint Cyr is famous throughout the auction world for its high-profile single-owner sales, such as Alain Delon’s Collection of Abstract Art (2007); The Estate of the Franco-Japanese painter, Foujita (2011); the furniture and fittings from the Hotel Royal Monceau (2008); and the couture collection belonging to Hélène Rochas (2016). The Robert & Jean-Pierre Rousset Collection of Asian Art: A Century of Collecting sale will take place in October 2022 and is from the personal collection of the renowned Rousset family.
The acquisition will build on Bonhams’ portfolio in France – the auction house expanded its French operations by opening a saleroom in Paris in Rue de la Paix in September 2021. It will also enhance Bonhams’ European scale to support further growth across the company’s network in Europe and internationally.
Bonhams was acquired by the UK-based private equity firm, Epiris, in September 2018. Since then, there has been substantial investment at Bonhams in the areas of digital, marketing, and recruitment.
Bruno Vinciguerra, CEO of Bonhams, said: “Cornette de Saint Cyr is one of the most-loved auction houses in France. As with Bonhams, it is rooted in a family tradition – and we are delighted that Arnaud Cornette de Saint Cyr will remain as CEO. Like his father before him, Arnaud has developed a company to which some of the most renowned names in France have entrusted their collections. Bonhams’ acquisition of such a celebrated auction house is an important part of our strategy to further the development of Bonhams into a truly global player with a balanced presence across the US, Europe and Asia.”
Arnaud Cornette de Saint Cyr, Chief Executive of Cornette de Saint Cyr, said: “There is a wonderful synergy between Bonhams and Cornette de Saint Cyr, particularly in the way in which both companies put the client at the centre of everything. This new adventure will help the auction house my father founded go from strength to strength. We are very proud of what we have achieved and much look forward to working with Bonhams to further our goals and our international reach.”
Catherine Yaiche, Managing Director of Bonhams France, said: “We are delighted to welcome Arnaud and his brother Bertrand Cornette de Saint Cyr, together with their team to the Bonhams family. The company has two beautiful locations – on Avenue Hoche in Paris and Chaussée de Charleroi in Brussels, which are wonderful settings for sales. This is an important step in our vision for Bonhams to consolidate its position in France and Europe.”
Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard, Chairman of Bonhams, said: “Having already added three auction houses to the Bonhams’ family since January, the acquisition of Cornette de Saint Cyr is a further important step in our vision for Bonhams to become the world’s local auction house.”
Alex Fortescue, Managing Partner at Epiris, said: “This acquisition represents a huge step forward for our ambitions in an important market and cements Bonhams’ position as the world’s leading core-market auction house. Well-planned and well-executed mergers and acquisitions are a key part of our strategy to add scale, strategic position, and growth to the companies that Epiris invests in. Bonhams really embodies this.”
Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and antiques, motor cars and jewellery. The main salerooms are in London, New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong, with auctions also held in Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, Paris, San Francisco and Sydney. With a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams offers advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com.
