From January 21 to 26, 2025, coinciding with Paris Men's Fashion Week, Sotheby's will hold a much-anticipated auction featuring a curated selection of art and objects from the private collection of the late French designer Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé, who passed away in 2008 and 2017, respectively. Among the star lots are over 20 nude drawings described by Sotheby's as 'lascivious.'
'These drawings combine precise anatomical details and lascivious poetry, allowing insight into Yves Saint Laurent's inner world,' Sotheby's stated.
This is the first time such a collection has been auctioned, emphasized Florent Jeanniard, vice president of Sotheby's France.
Unlike the drawings that were at the center of an international dispute in 2012, which Bergé claimed had been stolen, all works in this auction come with an official certificate of authenticity from the Pierre Bergé-Yves Saint Laurent Foundation, established to safeguard their personal art.
The exceptional auction includes pieces of prestigious provenance, including objects acquired from the renowned Kugel gallery, a long-standing reference in fine arts and antiques. These carefully selected works reflect the impeccable taste of the duo and their passion for timeless elegance.
Notable works include photographs intertwining the worlds of Andy Warhol and Helmut Newton. Polaroids gifted by Warhol to the designer and evocative images by Newton, including his iconic 'Le Smoking' series, capture the audacity and sophistication that defined Yves Saint Laurent's aesthetic. 'These works illustrate a moment in history where art, fashion, and culture converged, reflecting the limitless creativity of an era,' Sotheby's asserts.
For the first time, Madison Cox, president of the Pierre Bergé-Yves Saint Laurent Foundation, and Maxime Catroux, its vice president, will certify the designer's sketches to combat the proliferation of forgeries.
Approximately 40 items will be sold online from January 16 to 30, belonging to a French seller who was a close friend of the fashion couple.
In 2009, just months after Saint Laurent's death from cancer at age 71, Bergé sold all the invaluable artworks and furniture the couple had amassed. The auction raised €374 million, making it the most expensive private collection ever auctioned.