Exhibitions in Parisian galleries (3)

28/3/25 - Art market - Paris - Located - sometimes temporarily - near the Palais Brongniart, four galleries offer a selection to all enthusiasts, the variety of which leads us to take a modest step back, even if the first dealer we will mention has chosen to present only drawings. The young gallery owner Louis Marteau, whom we met on the left bank, moved this year to rue de Louvois - to Michel Descours’ premises - to offer a collection of around forty sheets among which we will first of all select this surprising still life (ill. 1) with gold and silver objects in which it is tempting to see the spirit - or even the hand - of Meiffren Conte, of whom we know of no drawings!

1. Provence, 17th-century, attributed to Meiffren Conte?
Still Life with Ewers and Shells
Pencil - 20.6 x 27.8 cm
LM Galerie
Photo: LM Galerie

See the image in its page

However, one might prefer the attractive watercolour by Charlet (ill. 2) showing a man absorbed in his reading, which bears little resemblance to the known effigies of Admiral Henri de Rigny. Louis Marteau is offering two drawings by both Henry Cros and Henri Edmond Cross (make sure you don’t get them mixed up) as well as a set by Maximilien Luce, to whom the Musée de Montmartre is dedicating its new exhibition.

2. Nicolas-Toussaint Charlet (1792-1845)
Portrait of Admiral de Rigny Reading
Ink and watercolour - 16 x 18 cm
LM Galerie
Photo: LM Galerie

See the image in its page

Let’s stay on Rue de Louvois where Hubert Duchemin is offering - as usual - a fascinating reflection on a set of eight works that is sure to spark interest and discussion: first there is this intriguing Oval Bolt (ill. 3) whose study the dealer entrusted to Sarah Catala, an art historian [1] who describes it as both a drawing and a painting. The short catalogue published by the gallery with the help of several specialists is an absolute must: Ilenia Cassan and Estelle…