Sotheby's auction in Paris : Hubert Guerrand-Hermès Collection

Sotheby's offers for sale the eclectic collection of art and royal furniture of Hubert Guerrand-Hermès, descendant of Hermès

A Journey to the Heart of the Hubert Guerrand-Hermès Collection

Thousands of works of contemporary art, French royal furniture and rare books accumulated by Hubert Guerrand-Hermès will be dispersed at four auctions in December.

L'Hôtel de Lannion: Witness to History

Where would you find a chair from Marie-Antoinette's boudoir, one of Pierre Soulages' paintings, furniture by Le Corbusier and a pair of topiary boars by François-Xavier Lalanne all at once? It's at the Hôtel de Lannion, a 17th-century Parisian mansion that was once the home of Hubert Guerrand-Hermès, a fifth-generation descendant of Thierry Hermès, founder of the French luxury house.

Around 1,000 lots from his collection will be auctioned at Sotheby's in a series of four physical and online auctions in mid-December. Mario Tavella, President of Sotheby's France and Chairman of Sotheby's Europe, said it was rare to find a collector like Guerrand-Hermès, who was equally interested in classical art, design and contemporary artists.

According to Sotheby's, family legend has it that Guerrand-Hermès honed his collecting eye from an early age, when his mother would send him and his twin brother Xavier to the Saint-Ouen flea market, challenging them by offering to pay what she thought their finds were worth.

An Eclectic Mix of Art and Royal Furniture

Estimated at between €10 million and €15 million, the late Hermès descendant's lots over the years testify to a "discerning eye that knew perfectly how to marry different eras and disciplines", said the auction house's executive. In addition to French royal furniture, which includes a carved and gilded Louis XVI chair commissioned for Marie-Antoinette's personal apartments at the Château de Versailles and a commode commissioned by the royal mistress Marquise de Pompadour, the late collector also acquired works by Pablo Picasso, Juan Miró and contemporary artists such as Antony Gormley and Anish Kapoor.

Austrian art dealer Thaddaeus Ropac, who shared his passion for music, told Sotheby's that the collector was keen to learn more about the contemporary scene, attending dinners with artists such as Anselm Kiefer.

Le Duchesse de Berry: Une Passion Artistique

One of Guerrand-Hermès's interests was the Duchesse de Berry, whose discovery he described as "the beginning of a passion that has never left me". Some 500 lots are linked to this 19th-century aristocrat, born Marie-Caroline de Bourbon-Siciles and married to the third son of French king Charles X. Not only was she a patron of the arts and an enthusiastic collector, she was also the ancestor of Guerrand-Hermès's wife, Rosalinda Álvares Pereira de Melo, herself a member of the Portuguese nobility.

He has recreated the Duchess's library on the first floor of his Paris home, accumulating rare manuscripts that once belonged to the Duchess, as well as objects such as a gilded 1826 Restoration-style Sèvres clock, a patinated bronze chronometer in the shape of an elephant, and an Aubusson checkerboard carpet of floral squares. His portrait and those of some of his close friends and family will also be part of the sale, as will his handkerchiefs.

Contemporary Art in the Hubert Guerrand-Hermès Collection

Among the items up for auction in December are works by Bernard Dubuffet and Joan Miró; Lalanne's topiary boars, estimated at between €100,000 and €150,000; Lalanne's "Singe SI and Singe SII", at between €1 million and €2 million; a portrait of the Duchesse de Berry by Baron Gérard, expected to fetch between €50,000 and €70,000; and Soulages' painting "Peinture, 28 février 1977", with a top estimate of €1 million.

Hubert Guerrand-Hermès, a patron of the arts of international stature

Guerrand-Hermès, who died in 2016 at the age of 75, had been vice-chairman of Emile Hermès SARL, which represents the family's shareholders, and managing director of the group's real estate companies. He had also served as Foreign Trade Advisor to the French government and was made an Officer of the Legion of Honor in 1999.

A patron of the arts, the collector had been treasurer of the Société des Amis du musée national d'art moderne - Centre Pompidou and a supporter of the World Monuments Fund, a non-profit association dedicated to the preservation of cultural heritage.

A series of auctions in Paris

Exceptional Public Exhibition in Paris

Prior to the auctions, the collection will be on public display at Guerrand-Hermès' Paris home, near the Musée d'Orsay, from December 9 to 13. Don't miss this unique opportunity to discover and acquire exceptional artistic and historical treasures from the collection of a man with a passion for the arts and culture.

Hubert Guerrand-Hermès Collection - Evening Sale

Discover our exceptional auction celebrating art from the collection of Hubert Guerrand-Hermès, a lover of history and hunting. The event will highlight a fascinating dialogue between different artistic eras. Among the pieces to be discovered are works by Pierre Soulages, Lucio Fontana, Anselm Kiefer and Yves Klein, offering a varied artistic panorama.

The sale will include a chair that belonged to Queen Marie-Antoinette for her Versailles boudoir, a vase from the collections of Count Strognanoff, a Louis XV commode by Cressent, and an impressive collection of paintings by artists such as Alexandre-François Desportes, Hubert Robert, Alfred de Dreux, and Honoré Fragonard. Hubert Guerrand-Hermès' passion for history is also reflected in abstract and sculptural pieces, with works by Pierre Soulages and Germaine Richier.

Explore this unique sale, which celebrates the artistic diversity and cultural heritage of Hubert Guerrand-Hermès. An unmissable opportunity for art lovers the world over.

Hubert Guerrand-Hermès Collection - L'Hôtel de Lannion

The Hôtel de Lannion, former residence of Hubert Guerrand-Hermès, is a magnificent example of Ancien Régime architecture and luxury in Paris. Built in 1754 by architect Jean Damun, it embodies the traditional style of Parisian hôtels particuliers, with its typical "courtyard and garden" layout. Inside, the hotel enchants visitors with its richly decorated interior of gilded stucco.

The Grand Salon Louis XV, a listed historic monument, is a dazzling testimony to the Rocaille style of the period, with its artistically designed scrolls and shells. Hubert Guerrand-Hermès was keen to showcase the great decorative arts, and called on decorator François-Joseph Graf to help him with his installation.

The collection he has assembled is an impressive blend of 18th-century decorative arts, post-war painting, contemporary sculpture, design and even a passion for hunting.

In every room of the hotel, Guerrand-Hermès has succeeded in presenting a range of contemporary artists alongside 18th-century furniture. Names such as Daniel Spoerri, David Hockney, Yves Klein, and stamped furniture such as a Henri Wirtz games table or a Louis XVI pedestal table by Adam Weisweiler cohabit harmoniously.

The collector has not limited himself to Western artists, but has also incorporated works by designers and artists from far-off lands. Guerrand-Hermès's passion for art is expressed in every square inch of his hotel, from photographs by Man Ray to paintings by Jean-Baptiste Oudry, as well as a taste for 18th-century drawings by Carmontelle and Saint-Aubin.

His love of the hunt is reflected in the hunting scenes painted by artists such as Jean-Baptiste Huet and Eugène Lami. All centuries and artistic styles found their place in this exceptional Parisian setting. The Hôtel de Lannion is much more than a historic residence, it's a cultural treasure trove where art, history and diversity come together to offer a unique experience.

Discover this extraordinary place where past and present come together to create an exceptional artistic atmosphere.

Hubert Guerrand-Hermès Collection - Autour de la duchesse de Berry

Hubert Guerrand-Hermès, passionate about the Duchess de Berry, brings to life the fascinating life of this 19th-century icon. Married at a young age, widowed, then exiled, she fought for her son's rights to the French throne until her death in Austria in 1870.

An unconventional and cultured woman, the Duchesse de Berry was a patron of the arts in Paris, inspiring many artists of her day. She built up an exceptional library, adorned with superb French bindings from the golden age of bookbinding.

This passion for the duchess had a profound effect on Hubert Guerrand-Hermès, who collected works, porcelain and books relating to her. He tried to recreate the atmosphere of the duchess's interiors in his own hotel in Lannion.

His collection included books bearing the duchess's coat of arms, a magnificent manuscript given for the birth of the heir to the throne, as well as furniture and souvenirs from Rosny, the duchess's beloved château.

Paintings, drawings, porcelain, silverware and furniture have all been brought together to bring to life the character of this romantic duchess.

A true celebration of history and art through the eyes of a passionate collector.

The forthcoming auction of the Hubert Guerrand-Hermès collection promises to be an historic occasion not to be missed. The eclecticism and passion of this extraordinary collector have left their mark on a collection of art and royal furniture of rare diversity. Treasures ranging from French royal furniture to contemporary works of art, as well as the memorabilia of the Duchesse de Berry, will all be on sale to art lovers the world over.

The life and interests of Guerrand-Hermès are a source of inspiration for collectors and art lovers alike, showing how a passion can be transformed into an exceptional collection that reflects a love of history, culture and art.

The public exhibition in Paris offers a unique opportunity to view these treasures before the auction, and potential buyers from all over the world can expect exciting bids to acquire these exceptional pieces. Don't miss this opportunity to become the guardian of unique historical and artistic treasures.

The Hubert Guerrand-Hermès auction is a celebration of art, history and passion for collecting, and is sure to mark a memorable chapter in the world of auctions.

Stay tuned and be ready to bid on these artistic gems that have been cherished by a true connoisseur.

To find out more, contact us :

+33 4 92 92 12 88

 info@cotedazur-sothebysrealty.com