Mario Tavella, Chairman of Sotheby’s France and Chairman of Sotheby’s Europe, exclaimed, “What a privilege it has been to orchestrate the final great sale of the legendary Pierre Berge – Yves Saint Laurent collection. It has been an adventure from start to finish.”
Berge amassed a stunning collection of objects, his eclectic taste spanning civilizations, eras and genres. There were many art objects alongside the paintings – pieces from Antiquity to the Renaissance. These were scattered among their four homes in Paris, Normandy, Provence and Marrakech.
Bidding was strong, with many bidding wars for the art, design, sculptures, Objets d’art, African Art, Orientalist and Modern paintings. Bids came from private collectors to great French museums, including the Louvrewhich won Baron Gros’ magnificent painting, “David Playing Harp for King Saul or David Charming Saul’s Melancholy”, 1822.
The Museum des Beaux-Arts d’Angers purchased Pierre-Jean David d’Angers’ Three Cups with Allegorical Scenes in Relief , 1854.
Paris may never see such an elegant, eclectic and stunning house contents at auction again for a long time