In a significant move just ahead of Paris Haute Couture Week, a Galician fashion firm has acquired the renowned French luxury house Christian Lacroix. The auction, set for January 24, promises an exclusive glimpse into the intimate world of legendary duo Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé.
A decade ago, Bergé raised €1.4 million from the sale of Moroccan treasures, benefiting the Yves Saint Laurent Museum in Marrakech. This new collection features prestigious items, including pieces from the esteemed Kugel gallery, known for its fine arts and antiques.
Noteworthy items include photographs bridging the realms of Andy Warhol and Helmut Newton. Warhol's Polaroids gifted to Saint Laurent and Newton's evocative images, including the iconic 'Le Smoking' series, are expected to fetch between €4,000 and €6,000. According to the auction house, these works illustrate a historical moment where art, fashion, and culture converged, showcasing the limitless creativity of the era.
Among the standout pieces is a 19th-century porcelain cameo, but the most sought-after items are Saint Laurent's erotic drawings. Due to their explicit content, these works will be displayed in a special room during the public viewing from January 21 to 31 at Sotheby's on Rue Saint-Honoré. The collection also highlights Saint Laurent's intimate exploration of male nudity in his art, combining precise anatomical details with dreamlike fantasies. Sotheby’s describes these drawings as transcending mere desire, celebrating beauty, sensuality, and artistic freedom.
Male nudity, with its rich and complex art history, finds a unique expression in Saint Laurent's work, where technical mastery meets personal sensitivity. The online auction will remain open until January 31.