When Art Meets Legacy: Simone and Antoine Veil Collection at Auction at Christie’s 4th of December.
Written by Synnöve Vedde Pesseguier, VP Art Advisory
Though being very discreet and never publicly addressing it, Simone and Antoine Veil build a noteworthy collection of art through their almost 67 years of marriage. While always protecting her private sphere, Simone Veil was one of the most prominent public figures of her time, a pioneering French politician, an advocate for human dignity, woman’s right and social justice. As a Holocaust survivor she carried the weight of her personal tragedy, but her indomitable spirit kept her up and continuing.
Antoine & Simone Veil in her apartment in Paris, 1974.
Photo : © Jean-Pierre Bonnotte/Gamma
It is perhaps the contrast between the public Simone Veil, the icon of resilience, and the private Simone, whose inner world remains largely unknown, that adds a mythic allure to the collection at auction at Christie’s. It gives a rare glimpse into the private life of an extraordinary woman. But beyond the personal, it is certain that the 60 works being auctioned on December 4th include exceptional pieces by some of the most renowned names in the art world.
The selection of their collection, put on sale by the couple’s two living sons, includes works signed by Zao Wou-Ki, Maria Vieira da Silva, Diego Giacometti, Gérard Schneider, Tom Wesselman and Jean Paul Riopelle. The total estimation is between 2-3 million €, led by two paintings by Zao Wou-Ki of them Untitled flower vase (1949) estimated to 500 000-800 000 € and furniture by Diego Giacometti Greek table estimated to 200 000-300 000 €.
“Their collection mirrors ‘the values that shaped their life: rigor, humanism and generosity’ ”
Their collection mirrors ‘the values that shaped their life: rigor, humanism and generosity’ notes Christies Vice President Victoire Gineste who cataloged the collection. ‘It illustrates an openness to the world around them’. The collection is both contemporary of its time, while also being quite classical and esthetical in its visuality. Works by pop artist Tom Wesselman and key figure of the Fuguration Narrative movement, Gilles Aillaud demonstrates the couple’s fearless confidence as collectors.
In her autobiography ‘Une vie’ Simone Veil describes how she enjoyed spending Saturday mornings visiting galleries at the left bank in Paris and how she with time also built a personal relationship with artists as Vieira de Silva. Later, her gallery tours were often accompanied by the second of her three sons. The two of them were often drawn to the same paintings, and would sometimes offer a piece to the other creating a collecting complicity between them.
The collections rare glimpse into the very private life of one of the most prominent persons of our time may also drive up the sales, at least for the less sought-after artworks. The allure of acquiring not only remarkable artworks, but also a piece of the legacy of an admired collector, is sure to elevate the appeal of the auction.
"In the distance, I hear Antoine playing the piano. (...) Little by little, the night fills the house. To the sound of the piano, my gaze drifts as I face my familiar paintings."
Excerpt from Une vie, Simone Veil, Editions Stock 2007.
@AGIP/Bridgeman Images