Fine Arts Paris
After the decision to merge two leading art fairs – La Biennale and Fine Arts Paris – the inaugural edition opens at the Carrousel du Louvre
1. Untitled, , Alexander Calder ( 1898 – 1976 ) Gouache on paper 50 × 66 cm
Galerie AB
€110,00
In the last decade of his career, Alexander Calder turned to creating gouache paintings alongside his more recognisable sculptural works. This example, Untitled ( ), evokes Calder’s suspended mobile structures, reflecting the artist’s signature palette of black, red and blue. The halfmoon which often appears in the artist’s sculpture is transferred to the page for this gouache painting, conjuring the kinetic energy of Calder’s mobile works.
2. Tatanua mask, between 1880 – 1950 Malangan
New Ireland,
Papua New Guinea
Wood and pigments ht 26cm
Galerie Monbrison Price on request
These tatanua masks are created over the course of several months, and form a central part of the malangan funeral rites in Papua New Guninea. They are traditionally worn by malangan dancers during the final stages of the ceremony, depicting the soul and personal characteristics of the deceased in a design carved in limewood and adorned with sugar cane, wool and animal hair.
3. Le Sommeil, early th century Francesco Bertos ( 1693 – 1739 ) Marble
24 × 45 × 21 cm Galerie Sismann €48,000
Under the guidance of the baroque master Giovanni Bonazza, Francesco Bertos developed a distinctive style which he honed for his signature intertwining marble figures. This small-scale sculpture is an example of the artist’s decorative work. The poppies held by the reclining figure were traditionally associated with the god of sleep and signal the artist’s decision to reflect the mythological themes popular with patrons of the time.
4. Panoramic landscape with port city and Samson fighting the lion in the foreground, th century
Hans Bol ( 1534 – 93 )
Oil on canvas
52 × 66.7cm
Galerie de Jonckheere €750,000
This rare panoramic work was inspired by the rural landscape of the Northern Netherlands and saw the Flemish artist – renowned for his biblical scenes and miniaturist works in pen, watercolour and pencil – take to oil. The painting is framed by the two trees in the foreground, and focuses on the scene of Samson wrestling a lion, as told in the Book of Judges.