Jeanne Moreau Collection:
A Tribute to a Magnificent Artist
 

From 16 to 22 October 2020, Artcurial will present the Jeanne Moreau Collection, a tribute sale comprising nearly 300 lots coming largely from the artist’s wardrobe and worn in films and at award evenings. This 100% online sale, in aid of the Jeanne Moreau Foundation, will take place while the collection is on show at Artcurial. A love of art in all its forms guided Jean Moreau (1928-2017) throughout her life and the Jean Moreau Foundation has been entrusted with passing this on, a task that was close to her heart. The role of the Foundation is to protect the creative work of the artist, encourage initiatives in artistic and cultural areas with a focus on making the theatre and cinema more accessible for children.

A sensual and eclectic cult figure, Jeanne Moreau was a resolutely modern actress who became the face of the Nouvelle Vague. She had an aura and a raw talent that captivated the greatest directors in France and abroad, including Louis Malle, François Truffaut, Roger Vadim, Luis Buñuel, Michelangelo Antonioni, Wim Wenders, Orson Welles, Claude Lellouche, Jacques Demy, Agnès Varda, François Ozon and others. She was a rare phenomenon destined to become an all-time great.

More than an artist, she became a muse for a number of filmmakers, couturiers and photographers. There are too many names to mention all those who wanted to capture her image, but they included Helmut Newton, Peter Lindbergh, Cécil Beaton, Bettina Rheims, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Agnès Varda and Slim Aarons … Amongst the photographs on offer, some of which remain unpublished, are two prints by Bettina Rheims (estimate: €800 -1,200) and a signed and dedicated print by Peter Lindbergh (estimate: €1,000 – 1,500).

Jeanne Moreau’s connection with fashion was more than a matter of style, it was a love affair. It was during a costume fitting for Eva, the film by Joseph Losey, that Jeanne Moreau first met Pierre Cardin, the iconoclastic couturier who shook up the fashion world by mixing prêt-à-porter with haute couture. Pieces by the designer include a copper sequined outfit (estimate: €250 - 450), a blue and orange sequined evening dress (estimate: 400 - 600 €) and a black vinyl coat (estimate: €200 - 400).
Artcurial will also offer an outfit in black velvet and ivory satin made by Karl Lagerfield for Jeanne Moreau (estimate: €250 - 450).
Yves Saint Laurent was also a constant presence in the artist’s life. In addition to pieces of Haute Couture, such as a gold lamé coat and dress combination (estimate: €400 – 600), a lace and black sequin trapeze dress (estimate: €250 - 450), and a leopard chiffon coat (estimate: €250 - 450).

The sale will also include some of Jeanne Moreau’s favourite pieces of jewellery, a stylish invitation « to put rings on every finger and pile bracelets on wrists » as she liked to sing. There are items of jewellery by Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, Hervé Van Der Straeten and a Cartier pendant in white gold set with a diamond (estimate : €700 - 900).

Information
Exhibition in Paris
From Friday 16 to Thursday 22 October 2020, 11am to 6pm

Online auction
From Friday 16 to Thursday 22 October 2020, Online Only

View Catalogue

Auction Contact
Clara Vivien
+33 1 58 56 38 12