The Danute and Alain Mallart Collection, a prestigious array of contemporary art goes to auction at Christie’s during Paris Art Basel week.
The Danute and Alain Mallart Collection, a treasure trove of artistic masterpieces spanning Brussels, Paris, and Vilnius, is set to go under the hammer during the prestigious Paris Art Basel week fair in October 2024.
This unique auction event, set to be an autumn art season standout, provides art collectors and aficionados a seldom opportunity to peek into a carefully curated collection of works that have mostly been kept out of the public eye.
A Collection of Dreams: 30 Years In The Making
The Collection of Danute and Alain Mallart is a tribute to the power of passion, vision, and steadfast commitment to arts. For more than three decades, the Mallarts have embarked on an exhaustive journey of research and acquisition, compiling a collection that mirrors not only their individual preferences but also the constantly changing panorama of contemporary art and design.
This collection, long concealed from public view and known only to a select group of collectors and insiders, is finally being unveiled for the world to see. The anticipation is palpable in the art community, with many eagerly awaiting the opportunity to acquire pieces from this legendary collection.
The strength of the collection is not solely in its impressive lineup of artists, but also in its unified vision. It effortlessly merges well-known names with rising stars, fostering a conversation between various generations of creators.
This approach has culminated in a collection that is profoundly entrenched in European artistic traditions while bravely embracing the forefront of contemporary design.
A European Journey: Brussels, Paris and Vilnius
The Danute and Alain Mallart Collection is intrinsically linked to three European capitals: Brussels, Paris, and Vilnius. Each city has played a crucial role in shaping the collection’s identity and scope. The inclusion of Vilnius is particularly noteworthy, as it coincides with the Lithuanian Season in France, adding an extra layer of cultural significance to the auction event.
The Mallarts have found a wealth of opportunity for discovery in Brussels, a city known for its vibrant contemporary scene and rich artistic heritage. The eclectic mix of works in their collection mirrors the city’s unique balance of tradition and innovation.
The collection has been significantly influenced by Paris, often seen as the epicentre of the art world. The Mallarts’ curatorial choices have undoubtedly been moulded by the unparalleled artistic legacy of the City of Light, and its aptitude for drawing in talent from around the globe.
Including Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, in the collection provides a distinctive viewpoint. This not only shows the Mallarts’ dedication to investigating art outside the typical Western European scope, but it also celebrates the diverse cultural heritage of Eastern Europe.
The collection’s focus on three cities emphasizes its genuinely European nature, providing a comprehensive overview of the continent’s artistic production in recent decades.
A Showcase of Artistic Excellence
The Danute and Alain Mallart Collection is fundamentally committed to excellence in diverse artistic disciplines.
The auction, expected to yield between 8 million and 12 million euros, will showcase around one hundred pieces ranging across the spectrum of contemporary art and design.
Painting: The Power of the Canvas
Leading the charge is a major painting by Marlène Dumas, one of the most influential artists of our time. Dumas’s work, known for its emotional intensity and exploration of the human condition, serves as a fitting centrepiece for a collection that consistently pushes boundaries and challenges perceptions.
It is particularly noteworthy that the collection emphasizes on German artists, featuring works by luminaries like Sigmar Polke, Anselm Kiefer, Georg Baselitz, and A.R. Penck.
Each of these artists has tackled Germany’s intricate history in their unique style, producing works that are not only visually captivating but also intellectually stimulating.
Sculpture and Installation: Redefining Space
The collection’s three-dimensional works are just as impressive, exhibiting pieces by distinguished sculptors and installation artists.
Anish Kapoor’s captivating investigations of shape and emptiness are juxtaposed with Yayoi Kusama’s absorbing polka-dot worlds, fostering a conversation between diverse perspectives on space and perception.
Abstraction: A Global Perspective
The Mallarts’ fascination with abstraction is clear in their choice of pieces by artists like François Morellet and El Anatsui.
These pieces showcase the collection’s international perspective, merging abstract expressions from Europe and Africa to form a diverse mosaic of non-representational art.
The Body in Focus
The representation of the human body, especially the female form, is a major theme throughout the collection. Various perspectives on this eternal subject are offered by works from Marlène Dumas, Antony Gormley, Martial Raysse, Tom Wesselmann, and Barbara Kruger.
Through painting, sculpture, and photography, these artists explore the body’s relationship with space and challenge traditional notions of representation.
Design: From Art Deco to Contemporary Innovation
The collection of Danute and Alain Mallart is not restricted to just fine arts. It also proudly features a remarkable assortment of design pieces that cover almost a hundred years of creative innovation.
The furniture collection spans from classics of the 1930s to modern, innovative designs, demonstrating the progression of style and practicality over the years.
Highlights include pieces by:
- Zsolnay is a renowned ceramics manufacturer from Hungary, recognized for its innovative application of eosin glazes.
- Georges de Feure is a significant figure in the Art Nouveau movement, renowned for his sophisticated furniture designs.
- Jean-Michel Frank: The master of minimalism whose subtle luxury characterized Parisian design in the 1930s.
- Jean Dunand is a pioneer who utilized lacquer in furniture and decorative objects.
- Eugène Printz is recognized for his daring, geometric designs that served as a connection between Art Deco and modernism.
- Marc du Plantier: A designer who embodied the sophisticated elegance of French design in the mid-20th century.
- Diego Giacometti is a sculptor and designer known for his delicate, nature-inspired furniture pieces that are highly desired by collectors.
This meticulously chosen assortment of design pieces enhances the art collection, forming a comprehensive view of visual culture that surpasses conventional limits between fine and applied arts.
The Art of Display: Danute Mallart’s Curatorial Vision
The display method of the Danute and Alain Mallart Collection stands out as one of its most notable features. Specifically, Danute Mallart’s acute eye and scenography skills have been instrumental in arranging the works, fostering a harmonious interplay between art and design pieces.
Her curation style underscores the power and unity of the collection, enabling each piece to stand out on its own yet also contribute to a larger entity. This mindful display has unquestionably enhanced the value of the collection, transitioning it from a simple gathering of works into a meticulously arranged aesthetic journey.
A Global Event: Christie’s October Extravaganza
The auction of the Danute and Alain Mallart Collection is poised to be the highlight of Christie’s ambitious October schedule. This event aligns with Paris’s metamorphosis into the global hub of the art market.
Christie’s has positioned itself at the center of a series of high-profile art events happening in the city, including Art Basel, Moderne Art Fair, Internationale, Design Miami, Also Known As Africa, Offscreen, and Asia Now.
Throughout the month, the auction house’s Paris location, which is just a stone’s throw away from the recently restored Grand Palais, will be bustling with activity. The upcoming schedule includes:
- The Danute and Alain Mallart Collection will hold a live auction in Brussels, Paris, and Vilnius on October 17th at 2 p.m. Public viewings will be available from October 10th through October 17th.
- The Avant-Garde(s) including Thinking Italian live auction will be held on October 18 at 5:30 p.m. Public viewings are available from October 10 to 17.
- Live auction of 20th & 21st Century Art will take place on 19th October at 2:30 p.m. Public viewing is available from 10th to 17th October.
- Online sale of Marc Chagall’s works, previously part of the artist’s estate, will be held from 9th to 22nd October. Public viewing will be open from 10th to 15th October for his collection titled ‘Between Sky and Earth’.
This carefully orchestrated series of events underscores Christie’s commitment to showcasing the very best of contemporary and modern art, with the Danute and Alain Mallart Collection serving as a cornerstone of the programme.
A Catalogue to Remember
Christie’s has created a richly illustrated catalogue to honor this exceptional auction, which includes photographs of the collection in its original location. This publication serves not only as a historical record of the auction, but also provides priceless understanding of the Mallarts’ collection approach and how the pieces were arranged in their different homes.
The catalogue is poised to become a collector’s item itself, serving as a permanent record of one of the most significant private collections to be offered for sale in recent years.
Looking Ahead: The Legacy of the Danute and Alain Mallart Collection
The art world is keenly anticipating the October auction, where the dispersal of the Danute and Alain Mallart Collection will signify the end of an era. Nevertheless, this also symbolizes a fresh start, with these meticulously chosen artworks making their way into new collections and institutions globally.
The Mallarts’ vision will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact, influencing future generations of collectors and setting a high standard for curatorial excellence.
Their commitment to backing both established and emerging artists, their sharp eye for quality in diverse mediums, and their devotion to a genuinely European viewpoint on contemporary art and design, have established a new benchmark in the field.
When the final lot is auctioned off in October, the art community will be commemorating the peak of thirty years of fervent collecting. Simultaneously, they will also be anticipating the fresh narratives and relationships that will unfold as these extraordinary artworks find their new owners.
The auction of the Danute and Alain Mallart Collection is not merely an artwork sale, but a manifestation of art’s timeless capacity to stimulate, provoke, and transfigure. As collectors, aficionados, and organizations from all over the world gather in Paris this fall, they will partake in a monumental occurrence that honors the epitome of modern artistic expression.
Images: Christie’s
