Art enthusiasts are in for a treat this Thursday as the Hôtel des Ventes de Monte-Carlo prepares to auction an exceptional collection of modern and contemporary masterpieces. The sale, set to begin at 3 pm on Quai Antoine Ier, will feature 98 carefully curated pieces, ranging from oil paintings and sculptures to striking glass mosaic lamps. A diverse catalogue, available both in print and digital formats, highlights a strong presence of postmodernist works, making it a significant event for collectors and connoisseurs alike.
Among the standout pieces is Le Port d’Audierne by Moïse Kisling, an early 1912 work that reflects the artist’s pioneering approach to Cubism. With its bold composition and dynamic structure, the painting is expected to attract significant interest from those who appreciate Kisling’s role in shaping modern art. Meanwhile, Le Havre, Bassin de la Manche du Quai de Southampton by Jean Dufy transports viewers to a bustling maritime scene, where vivid blues and greens bring the North Sea to life. For those drawn to Cubist influences, Léopold Survage’s four paintings from a Cannes collection offer a fascinating glimpse into geometric abstraction and symbolic storytelling.
The auction also features a rare opportunity to acquire Les Quais et Notre-Dame le 14 Juillet 1919 by Gustave Loiseau. This atmospheric depiction of Paris on Bastille Day, with French flags proudly adorning moored boats, is estimated to fetch between €50,000 and €80,000. On the sculptural front, collectors will be watching Deux Jeunes Gazelles by Rembrandt Bugatti, a delicate 1905 plaster capturing the gentle interaction between two animals. With only three known versions—two in bronze and one in silver—this piece is expected to generate considerable excitement.
While works by Picasso and Dalí will undoubtedly draw attention, a sculpture by Jean-Michel Folon is also set to be a highlight. Un Homme, a 173cm-tall figure carved from luminous yellow Pakistani stone, portrays a faceless, hat-wearing man—a universal symbol open to interpretation. Folon, a Belgian artist with strong ties to Monaco, once worked from a studio overlooking Port Hercule, adding a local connection to this already compelling piece.
Topping the auction’s prestige, however, is Sphere by renowned Italian sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro. Created in 1975, this golden-bronze patinated sphere, estimated between €250,000 and €350,000, embodies the artist’s fascination with reflection and form. Officially registered in the Archivio Arnaldo Pomodoro in Milan, the piece represents a pinnacle of contemporary Italian sculpture.
With such a diverse selection of works on offer, this auction promises to be a landmark event for art lovers and serious collectors alike.
