NEWS AT CHRISTIE’S Made in France
With two auctions this January focusing on French culture, we sat down with specialists from Christie’s Wine and Old Master Paintings departments to discuss everything from where to hang your Fragonard to how to construct a cellar in your new home. This is one rendez-vous you won’t want to miss.
The concept of a “French only” sale, how did that idea begin?
GW (Georgina Wilsenach, Specialist, Old Master Paintings) Within the past year, I’d noticed a resurgence in the market for French 18th-Century paintings. As part of my work here, I occasionally serve as an auctioneer for other sales, including wine auctions. The same phenomenon I’d seen in French paintings—that soaring enthusiasm and interest from new buyers around the globe—was occurring with French wines, so the categories seemed like a natural fit.
How does condition impact a wine or painting’s desirability?
GW If something’s in absolutely superb condition, there’s no limit to people’s interest in it. On the other hand, if it’s been over-cleaned, that will decrease its value. When a work has gone through a heavy cleaning, you are essentially taking off the top layer, which gives the painting its spirit and energy. When it comes to certain French paintings, what you really want to see are lively brushstrokes—the hand of the artist at work.
CA (Charles Antin, Specialist, Wine) Condition, in terms of the appearance of the label, is an increasingly important issue for wine, too. As people become more interested in building cellars that are used for both storage and entertainment, we’ve seen some collectors looking for pristine labels because they intend to display their bottles.
What’s the most interesting cellar you’ve seen in someone’s home?
CA We get to see a lot, and people have amazing cellars these days—fur coats lined up just outside the cellar door to keep the chill off, the whole nine yards. One of my favorites was a cellar that was circular with a dining table at the center. The cellar portion was walled off by glass, so you could have dinner surrounded by your collection, minus the cold.
What about people who are looking to create a cellar or hang these paintings in their home?
GW These Fragonard paintings just behind me are some of my favorite works in the sale. It’s quite unusual when you have a pair as we have here, and in terms of hanging them, I think you could have a lot of fun. I could see them in a dining room on either side of a table.
CA For people who are looking to build a home cellar, temperature and humidity are key. We have the French to thank for the temperature standard most cellars are set at, which is 55°F (13°C). That’s the approximate temperature of the subterranean cellars in which most French wines are kept—and because it’s worked so well for hundreds of years, it’s become the industry standard. You also want to keep proper humidity levels in mind so the corks don’t dry out.
Anything else people should know in terms of taking their auction purchases home?
GW We always get questions about hanging, and it makes sense. It’s an essential part of the process. It goes without saying that requirements differ from painting to painting, but there are some rules of thumb. Echoing Charles’ emphasis on temperature, it’s also important for paintings. By and large, if you’re dealing with canvas, it’s not a huge concern, but if you have a painting on a wood panel, you’ll need to have temperature control to keep it from warping.
How can collectors new to these categories learn more?
CA We’ve had clients in the past who buy a house with a great wine cellar but aren’t established oenophiles… not yet anyway. One of the best ways to gain experience is by attending tastings, and our specialists are always happy to talk with you, whether it’s about building a whole collection or acquiring a single lot.
GW Definitely attend the art fairs to learn more about the market and come to the viewings prior to our sales. Ultimately, I think the most important thing is to buy what you like. Collecting doesn’t have to be an overwhelming endeavor. It’s about falling in love, sometimes one painting—or one bottle—at a time.
SALE DETAILS & INQUIRIES
Arts of France January 25, 2012 at 2pm New York Georgina Wilsenach
gwilsenach@christies.com +1 212 636 2120
Finest and Rarest Wines of France January 25, 2012 at 5pm New York Charles Antin
cantin@christies.com +1 212 636 2097
NOT IN NEW YORK? Browse our e-catalogues and bid remotely with Christie’s LIVE™. Visit
christies.com/ livebidding to learn more.
opposite above Jean-Honoré Fragonard (Grasse 1732–1806 Paris) Le Jour (Day); La Nuit (Night) (a pair) oil on canvas Estimate: $2,000,000–3,000,000
opposite below Charlotte Vignon (Paris b. 1639) Peaches and grapes on a draped table oil on panel Estimate: $300,000–500,000 To be sold on January 25, 2012 in the Arts of France sale
162 NEWS AT CHRISTIE’S | CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164 |
Page 165 |
Page 166 |
Page 167 |
Page 168 |
Page 169 |
Page 170 |
Page 171 |
Page 172