Picasso, Tête de Jeune Homme barbu, 1967 (estimate€350,000-450,000) |
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François Meyer (1953 – 2022) was a lifelong collector, whose all-encompassing passion and curiosity for art led to him assembling an eclectic collection – whilst at the same time documenting the artists behind it. François Meyer’s collecting journey was inextricably linked with his own creativity, as he photographed some of the best-known and best-loved artists of his time, including Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Sonia Delaunay, Helen Frankenthaler, Wilfredo Lam, Sam Francis, Shirin Neshat, Fernando Botero and David Hockney, to name a few.
This September, Sotheby’s Paris will hold a dedicated auction of François Meyer’s personal collection, offering artworks from the breadth of his prolific passions. Prior to the sale, which is titled Collection François Meyer: A Colourful Passion, the 160 works will be exhibited to the public in Sotheby’s Paris galleries from 22 – 25 September.
The overriding thread that runs through the collection is François Meyer’s love of colour and the natural world. Works by Pablo Picasso, Sonia Delaunay, Victor Brauner, Helena Vieira da Silva, Sam Francis, Alexandre Calder, Raymond Pettibon and Giovanni Giacometti sit alongside pieces by cutting-edge contemporary names as well as a remarkable group of carved Kachina dolls from his regular travels to the United States.
Testament to François Meyer’s love of Swiss art and artists – and in honour of his birthplace of Geneva – a further 50 works will be offered as a highlight of Sotheby’s Swiss Art auction in December 2023.
Caroline Lang, Chairman, Sotheby’s Switzerland, said: “Over three decades of friendship, François Meyer welcomed me into his magical way of looking at art – never losing the sense of wonder of seeing an artwork for the first time. It was a delight to witness his process of discovery, as he would connect to new artists and artworks, always with an open and curious mind. Through his encounters and travels, he made it his mission to immortalise the greatest artists of his time. Having remained behind the camera lens for most of his life, it is a pleasure to now turn the spotlight onto François’ world of collecting and pay tribute to his unique eye.”
Meyer was exposed to art at a very early age, as his father – Eric Meyer – started collecting when François was just six, acquiring artworks by Niki de Saint Phalle, César and Robert Rauschenberg, among many others, across a wide range of genres and categories. He immediately became enraptured to the appeal of art, and as a small child, would accompany his father to art galleries, museums and even auctions. François Meyer once recalled, “my father took me by the hand and guided me down the road to creation.”
He then began his photography career at a world-renowned photography school in Switzerland, named after the early pioneer Frédéric Boissonnas. It was here that François Meyer developed a love of portrait photography in particular. His first step into starting his own collection also began with photographs, as he purchased a work by Cartier Bresson at the age of 18.
Aged 21, François Meyer moved to New York, where he befriended famed gallerist Leo Castelli, who opened the doors to a world of artists, even spending time in Warhol’s factory. Through François Meyer’s openness and likeability, many of the artists that he crossed paths with became great friends, and the willing subjects of his photography. Over the course of his life, he continued to travel to artist’s studios, photographing them in their ateliers. In his book published in 2014, he said, “I’m still the naïve, awestruck young man I was in the 1970s. I never set out looking for glory, I just want to meet great people and take great photos.”
Yvonne Meyer, François Meyer’s wife, said: “The wonderful thing about my husband was his incredible eye to capture the right portrait at the right moment, feeling and sharing that connection with the artist. The same perception was reflected in his choices as a collector, it was love at first sight. His advice to any art lover was to ‘let your heart guide you’.”
In 2000, Sotheby’s held an exhibition in Zurich of François Meyer’s photographs, titled The Artist’s Eye. As part of the exhibition around the auction, a number of these photographs will again be showcased alongside the contemporary art.
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Stanley Whitney, Ohne Titel, 2001 (estimate €40,000-60,000).jpg |
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| Below-Henry Taylor, Scratchi, 2005 (estimate €80,000-120,000)-120,000).jp
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AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS
Sonia Delaunay, Projet pour vitraux, 1967 (estimate: €200,000-300,000)
Pablo Picasso, Tête de Jeune Homme barbu, 1967 (estimate: €350,000-450,000)
Helena Vieira da Silva, Untitled, 1952 (estimate: €120,000-180,000)
Victor Brauner, Anarchie Hypnotique, 1960 (estimate: €100,000-150,000)
Sam Francis, Untitled (estimate: €100,000-150,000)
Henry Taylor, Scratchi, 2005 (estimate: €80,000-120,000)
Christo, Wrapped Iron, 1964 (estimate: €50,000-70,000)
Le Corbusier, Taureau X, 1961 (estimate: €40,000-60,000)
Stanley Whitney, Ohne Titel, 2001 (estimate: €40,000-60,000)
Raymond Pettibon, Time stops now, it’s the umpire’s turn, you make the call (estimate: €30,000-50,000)
Bernar Venet, 23.5° ARCX5, circa 2000 (estimate: €50,000-70,000)
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Sam Francis, Untitled (estimate: €100,000-150,000)
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About Sotheby’s
Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access to and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions and buy-now channels including private sales, e-commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 70 categories which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate. Sotheby’s believes in the transformative power of art and culture and is committed to making our industries more inclusive, sustainable and collaborative.
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* Estimates do not include buyer’s premium or overhead premium. Prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium and overhead premium and are net of any fees paid to the purchaser where the purchaser provided an irrevocable bid.
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