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THE MAGAZINE UPCOMING AUCTIONS
1930) had always loved art. He was interested in poetry
first of all: 16th century French and Italian works – in
editions of the period, of course! He bought his first Du
Bellay when he was fifteen, and his "last book" a few
days ago. "I'm a hardened criminal," quips this brighteyed
octogenarian, who is also keen on archaeology
and antique art. While his father-in-law "gave him the
bug" for the Primitive arts, he gave him no advice. He
became an enthusiastic and fascinating collector entirely
through his curiosity and keen eye. His watchwords
are learning to look, and sharing. In the spring of
1977, the Musée Barbier-Mueller d’Arts Primitifs
opened in the heart of Geneva. Jean Paul Barbier-
Mueller is particularly proud to see young people there
"looking at the objects and developing a dialogue with
them." Today, after fifteen years in the Palau Nadal in
Barcelona, his collection of Pre-Columbian objects is
taking the road to the auction room. At the end of an
initial loan of five years, the Catalan city had wanted to
keep and exhibit the objects, but for lack of means, it
had to let some nuggets go, now estimated at €20 M.
One man's loss is another man's gain... But while this
Tarascan red and white ceramic duck (see photo) may
hog the limelight on the catalogue cover, the real star
is a ceramic callipygian Venus from the Mexican Chupicuaro
culture (400 BC), whose little sister, no less,
belongs to the Musée du Quai Branly. Estimated
at a cool €2/3 M, this young lady in a red and
white jacquard jumper also comes from the
former Guy Joussemet collection. Also worth
noting: a large stone Diquis cat-headed divi-
Anthropomorphic statuette in black-flecked green
serpentine with semi-polished surface, Olmec
culture. Venta region (Mexico). 900-600 BC: 10 cm.
Estimate: €300,000/400,000.
32 GAZETTE DROUOT INTERNATIONAL I N° 23
nity from the south Pacific coast of Costa Rica (see
photo), and anAztec goddess of water, Chalchiuhtlicue,
in basalt (see photo), which Josef Mueller acquired in
the Twenties. With its 313 lots, the sale looks set to be
an "art rush"… And as someone always ready to fall for
a new love, Jean Paul Barbier-Mueller would certainly
agree! Claire Papon