Gulbenkian Par Lui-Même : Dans L'intimité D'un Collectionneur

Exhibition at the Hôtel de la Marine, Paris, 10 June - 2 October 2022

Hosted in the spaces of the Al Thani Collection at the Hôtel de la Marine, this exhibition presents for the first time little-known facets of the Armenian-born financier and patron Calouste Gulbenkian (1869-1955), one of the most important collectors of the twentieth century, whose Foundation is one of the jewels of Lisbon's museums: ancient art, Islamic art, illuminations, French eighteenth-century art, René Lalique's Art Nouveau jewellery, etc.

Faithfully reflecting the exhibition, this catalogue is structured around three introductory texts and six exhibition sections that reflect the major aspects of Calouste Gulbenkian's collecting activity: intimacy, preciousness, craftsmanship, provenance and rarity. Through a group of 90 carefully selected works of art, the book bears witness to the eclecticism of the collector's tastes.