Yves Saint Laurent remembered at Christie's
ARTinvestment.RU   01 августа 2008

At the height of the summer lull, Paris hit the news: Pierre Berger, a friend and associate of Yves Saint Laurent, sells a collection of over forty years, they gathered together

In this news break everything. Yves Saint Laurent died about two months ago, and a hasty sale of his inheritance, even for a country western sound mentality. Preventing unwanted questions, Mr. Berger said: «I do not believe in the afterlife and would like to dispose of his property during his lifetime. Saint Laurent did not share my views on this, and do so earlier, it was impossible ». And another surprising fact: Pierre Berger, owner of a successful auction house Pierre Berge et associes (he was already famous for some very loud bidding), decided to organize a sale in conjunction with the auction house Christie's.

This option dalsya it is not easy. It is a long metal between the two Anglo-Saxon Bison, Sotheby's and Christie's. In the end the friendship with the Vice-President of Christie's offices in Paris, François de Rikle has the upper hand. Typically, following an iron logic, Mr. Berger on this issue away from its principles. Most recently, he said that Paris had lost its position in the market for art and wait for high-profile records are not accounted for. But to sell the collection it is still decided in Paris. The explanation is simple: «It was founded on the banks of the Seine, and there needs to be sold». Surprised another nearly fact: do not ever bid on the announced six months in advance. While the auction house Christie's said only that the auction will be held in February 2009. All details are promised to make public only in late September.

But, even without knowing the details, the experts in one voice announced the upcoming auction history. Collection Saint-Laurent - Berger estimate of 300-500 million euros. Proceeds from the auction will go to a fund of Saint Laurent - Berger, created after the departure of the great couturiers of the fashion world.

At the tender will be issued a unique collection of paintings of all times and nations: paintings of Franz Hals, Piet Mondrian, Francisco Goya, Andy Warhol, Juan GRIS and Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso and Theodor Zheriko. Love of art is not hampered by Berger and Saint-Laurent collect Chinese art of XVIII century and enjoy the arts of Africa, collecting jewelry early Renaissance.

goes under the hammer and rarest collection of furniture from the apartment of Saint Laurent. It is long before the world became interested in fashion furniture ar-deco era. His interiors in sep-zhermenskom suburb were furnished with furniture Armand Albert Rato, Eileen Gray and other creations of legendary furniture era between the two world wars. Style 1925, Yves Saint Laurent chose for his home back in 1960, when all wealthy people prefer to demonstrate their success by buying the works of court cabinet XVIII century. Pierre Berger also rasstanetsya and with its unique collection of manuscripts of André Breton, Andre Gide, Gustave Flaubert.

It is possible that the sale of several hundred masterpieces of the museum will make the French Academy of regret that a few months ago, its members are not elected to their ranks, Pierre Berger, a poet, he chose songs.

Source: kommersant.ru