January 26, 2016: Luxury auction house Sotheby’s will offer works from Bernard Boutet de Monvel’s Paris residence.
On April 5-6, 2016, Sotheby’s will offer the beautiful masterpieces of “the most handsome man in Europe,” Bernard Boutet de Monvel. The collection encapsulates Boutet de Monvel’s life in art and hosts some of the French artist’s most powerful portraits, including the contents of his “Hotel particulier” and studio in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
A war hero in WWI, Boutet de Monvel was believed to produce his most inspirational works while stationed in Morocco in 1917. He excelled as a painter, engraver, sculptor, decorator, as well as an illustrator for Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue, cementing himself as one of the greatest portraitists of his day.
His star-studded and far reaching client list hosted the great names of international high society. Presented among Sotheby’s new collection are portraits of the Maharajah and Maharani of Indore, William Kissam Vanderbilt Jr, the Duchess of Brissac, as well as stunning depictions of the artist’s wife Delfina and his daughter Sylvie.
The collection will also include Art Deco pieces, one-of-a-kind furniture designed by Boutet de Monvel himself, and fashion illustrations; all together totaling 300 lots on offer.
Highlights will be on view in Sotheby’s New Bond Street galleries, from February 26 until March 1, 2016.