Yves Saint Laurent Pierre Bergé - Christie's

In 1992, Pierre Bergé moved to his own apartment
in rue Bonaparte. At first glance, the beautiful flat
looks lavishly traditional, but a second look enables
you to realise that the same eclectic taste reigns
there. Le désespoir de Pierrot, a poignant
masterpiece by Ensor, paintings by Mondrian,
Degas, de Hooch, Manet and Géricault are mixed
with a Weisweiler table and spectacular bronzes
from the Summer Palace in Beijing.
Most outstanding of all, is the group of German
ceremonial silverware, enamels from Limoges
and Venice, bronzes, rock crystal and ivory
objects. A real Wunderkammer. It is one of the
most fabulous treasure troves one could ever
imagine being in private hands.
Pierre Bergé always highlights the fact that, apart
from the Art Deco collection, he owes a lot to
dealers like Alain Tarica for the paintings, and for
the works of art, to Nicolas and Alexis Kugel,
worthy heirs to their father Jacques Kugel, the
legendary antiques dealer.
It is very unlikely, almost impossible, that such a
collection could be assembled today. None of the
pieces was inherited. Yves Saint Laurent and
Pierre Bergé built it up over the course of 50
years. It is the result of their quest, their eye, their
knowledge, their strong will and, above all, their
pursuit of perfection.
We feel very privileged to offer this wonderful
collection for auction. The word ‘collection’ which
is so over-used today, should be written here with
a capital C, providing its full historic meaning:
each piece has its own intrinsic value as a work of
art, which gives the entire collection a universal
and timeless quality.
In February 2009, the whole Collection will be
exhibited in the prestigious setting of the Grand
Palais in Paris.
Five catalogues, which will in turn become
‘collectors’ items’, will be produced.
It is important to know that the proceeds of the
sale will benefit the Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint
Laurent Foundation and will enable Bergé to
create a new medical foundation dedicated
principally to scientific research and the fight
against AIDS.
The Collection will be sold over three days in the
city where it was assembled, offering every art
lover the opportunity to acquire a piece bearing
the legendary provenance of the ‘Yves Saint
Laurent and Pierre Bergé Collection’.
– F.R.
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