The Yves Saint Laurent-Pierre Berge Collection: The Sale of the Century

An authoritative book published in collaboration with Christie’s, featuring photographs of the Bergé–Saint Laurent collection in situ, complete with estimated value information and final auction prices. In February 2009, 733 pieces from Pierre Bergé and Yves Saint Laurent’s art collection?one of the largest private collections in the world?was auctioned off in a record-breaking sale of the century. Modern paintings, baroque bronzes, antique silverware and statues, cameos, and minerals comprise this diverse collection that furnished Bergé’s and Saint Laurent’s two luxurious residences in the 6th arrondissement in Paris, and included major works by Picasso, Brancusi, Matisse, and Mondrian, in addition to furniture by the Art Deco masters Eileen Gray and Jean Dunand. Many works sold for prices far above the highest estimates, making this the most important European auction to date. The five-volume catalog published by Christie’s for the event sold out before the end of the auction, leaving collectors and art connoisseurs the world over empty-handed. Flammarion presents a new volume featuring photographs of this fabulous collection in situ in Bergé’s and Saint Laurent’s two Parisian residences and highlights one hundred of the most important pieces with detailed commentaries by Christie’s experts. An introduction by Christie’s vice president François de Ricqlès revisits the intense three-day auction at the Grand Palais that set a new standard in the history of the art market. An illustrated appendix includes images of the works sold, accompanied by their estimated values and final auction prices. This visually stunning and informative volume is a must-have for art lovers and serious collectors. Publication coincides with the auction of the Bergé–Saint Laurent collection at Château Gabriel in October 2009.