Histoires Extraordinaires De L'art À L'hôtel Drouot

From the XIXᵉ century to the Second World War, Paris was the global epicentre of artistic life. The Hôtel Drouot, inaugurated in 1852, was the scene of sales of contemporary artists, including Degas, Picasso and Picabia, and of historic estates, such as that of Degas. Markets for Asian and tribal art developed here, and André Breton used to come here to hunt for curious objects. It was here that old masters, such as Vermeer, were rescued from oblivion, and Drouot has played host to many great figures.

From Antoine van Dyck to Louise Bourgeois, from Eugène Delacroix to Vincent van Gogh, from Paul Éluard to Marcel Duchamp, this book by journalist Juliette Benhamou reveals little-known aspects of art and the art market through ten extraordinary stories. It is illustrated with masterpieces that were once offered for auction in the red rooms of the auction house.