Collection of works of art owned by the French couturier Ivu Saint Laurent, will be sold at auction and proceeds - several hundred million euros - transferred to charity, reports Reuters. Designer, earned the right to be called one of the creators of fashion XX century, died in June of this year from brain cancer at 72 years old.

In the collection of Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Berger collected over several decades, represented a wide variety of work - from the masterpieces of Chinese artists and paintings by Picasso, Matisse and Degas. Prominent in the collection of works held in the style of al-deco, Roman sculptures and baroque sculptures. «This is one of the most sumptuous private collections of our time - the French model of quality and delicate taste», - said the auction house Christie's.

auction organizers expect to gain from the sale of the collection of up to 300 million euros. Tenders will be held in Paris on 23-25 February 2009. «I even could not imagine that one day we will be able to organize such an auction. Origin, age, degree of preservation of these works - all just exclusive », - said Director of the Department of Art Nouveau and Impressionism auction house Christie's, Thomas Seydua.

Yves Saint Laurent bequeathed his collection of charitable trust, which he founded, together with P. Berger - her business manager and long companion. P. Berger said that decided to sell the entire collection and transfer money into a new fund to support medical research to find a cure for AIDS. «I am perfectly avoided without this collection. When we Yves Saint Laurent just started 50 years ago, we did not have this furniture and these paintings, but, believe me, we were very happy », - said P. Berger. Until recently the collection was kept in the Paris apartment where Yves Saint Laurent and P. Berger moved to in 1972.

Yves Saint Laurent - one of the most famous French designers. The designer is known, above all, that introduced elements of women's fashion men's clothing: pants, leather jackets, high boots, and even tuxedo. Many called the couturier of the latter galaxy of French designers such as Christian Dior and Coco Chanel and turned Paris into the world capital of fashion.

In 2002, Yves Saint Laurent left the world haute couture. Recently, designer did not appear in public. Despite the efforts of doctors, he was never able to defeat this terrible disease. After the death of the body by Yves Saint Laurent cremation and ashes dispelled in the garden of his villa in the Moroccan city of Marrakesh.

Source: rbc.ru