Florence Loeb’s collection on sale at Sotheby’s Paris

Paris, 23 February 2012

Sotheby’s auction house has announced in a press release the sale of a collection by Florence Loeb (1929-2011). Entitled “Sources et Affinités”, the sale reunites a group of illustrations and books by Antonin Artaud as well Loeb’s personal collection of African, Oceanic, and Native American art, most of which had been inherited from her father, Pierre Loeb. The dispersal of objects and drawings will take place 5 April 2012, or three days after the Salon du Dessin ends, a Parisian exhibition which displays contemporary art every two years.

In addition to leaving such a large collection to his daughter, Pierre Loeb also fostered within her a passion for exotic cultures. Two years after the death of Antonin Artaud in 1946, Florence met the poet and artist from Marseille who would change her life forever.

The sale brings together 97 works estimated between €1.7 and 2.4 million. The headlining piece is a self-portrait by Artaud dated 16 December 1946, estimated between €500,000 and 700,000. Also being presented is a portrait of Florence Loeb done by Artaud and three versions of a text by him : Van Gogh, le suicidé de la société. Each had been dedicated to members of the Loeb family. They are estimated between €8,000 and €12,000.

As for the African, Oceanic, and Native American art, there are pieces from one of the first gallery owners and collectors of 1930s Parisian (Pierre Loeb). Estimated between €30,000 and €50,000, a Kachina doll (US) will be offered alongside Fang and Dogon sculptures, who have greatly inspired 20th century art. In Oceanic art, a rare fabric made of tapa from Lake Sentani, collected by the French writer and film director Jacques Viot in 1929 will be up for auction. The piece is estimated between €25,000 and €40,000.