The next Sotheby’s auction dedicated to the collection of Jean-Marie Rossi brings together masterpieces of the French 18th century and important paintings of the 20th century, reflecting a rare collecting taste.
Who was Jean-Marie Rossi in the art market landscape?
A central figure in Parisian antiquarianism, Jean-Marie Rossi (1930-2021) was an emblematic dealer, capable of combining historical rigor and modern curiosity. In March 2024, his collection, formed over more than 65 years of activity, will be dispersed by Sotheby’s in a major Parisian sale.
The catalog brings together over 350 lots, from 18th-century furniture with prestigious provenances to works of modern art, offering a complete portrait of his perspective. According to Sotheby’s president, Mario Tavella, Rossi was «impressive and full of humor, with a sure and rigorous taste».
How did Rossi influence the collection of French furniture?
Tavella recalls the first meetings with the dealer in London, when he was organizing his first auctions. Rossi was among the few passionate about French furniture that arrived in England during the Revolution and, in the 1990s, still present on the London market.
When he was seen arriving in the auction room, often together with colleagues like Maurice Segura or Michel Meyer, it was a positive signal for the sale. Conversely, his absence foreshadowed a less brilliant result, confirming his influence on the market.
What are the most significant pieces from the private residence?
Among the highlights of the collection, Tavella first mentions the large painting by Paul Jouve, Éléphants sacrés de Madura, estimated at 150,000-250,000 €. The work occupied the entire space of the living room in Rossi’s house in Rueil-Malmaison.
In front of the large painting was placed an important table by Carlo Bugatti, made between 1908 and 1911 and conceived to display the bronzes of his son Rembrandt Bugatti, valued at 120,000-180,000 €. This staging revealed the dealer’s attention to the dialogue between decorative arts and sculpture.
On the upper floor was a crucial group of nine canvases by Jean Fautrier, including Otages n. 19, with an estimate of 400,000-600,000 €, belonging to the series dedicated to Gestapo executions. This group highlights Rossi’s interest in a modern expression marked by history.
What comes from the Aveline gallery spaces?
Another set of lots comes from the two floors of the Aveline gallery, the dealer’s historic Parisian address. Although the private and professional dimensions shared many affinities, they did not entirely coincide, as Tavella points out.
At the Place Beauvau location, Rossi particularly exhibited 18th-century furniture stamped by the greatest French cabinetmakers. Among these stands out a Roman commode with Japanese-style floral veneer, made around 1760 for the marriage of Princess Ottavia Odescalchi, surprisingly modern in character for an 18th-century piece.
Next to it is an important flat bureau in bois de violette, with a female head in marquetry, attributed to Noël Gérard and from the Hubert de Givenchy collection, with an estimate of 200,000-300,000 €. This group clearly illustrates the museum-quality choice of Rossi in the field of antique furniture.
How will the Rossi collection auction be set up?
The setup of the sale will be curated by François-Joseph Graf, interior architect and close friend of the dealer, called to recreate the refined atmosphere of his environments. The operation thus also takes the form of a staging, emphasizing the unity of taste between home and gallery.
In parallel, the dispersion of the collection will be accompanied by the publication of the volume “Brèves rencontres. 65 ans de découvertes de Jean-Marie Rossi pour la galerie Aveline”, written by Christophe Huchet de Quénetain and published by Éditions Feu et Talent and Gourcuff Gradenigo. The book will offer a historical and critical reading of the dealer’s journey.
When and where will the Rossi collection auction take place?
The sale organized by Sotheby’s will be held at number 83 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris, one of the maison’s most prestigious locations. The in-person sessions are scheduled for March 10 and 11, with a wide selection of furniture and works on catalog.
Additionally, an online sale is planned, open from March 5 to 12, which will allow for broader international participation compared to the physical one. Overall, the series of auctions will offer a rare opportunity to measure, on the market, the aesthetic legacy of Jean-Marie Rossi.
As expert in digital marketing, Amelia began working in the fintech sector in 2014 after writing her thesis on Bitcoin technology. Previously author for several international crypto-related magazines and CMO at Eidoo. She is now the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Cryptonomist and Econique.
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