As part of the session dedicated to artists' jewellery, PIASA offers for sale a selection of pieces by the most emblematic artists of the 20th century, including Roberto Matta (1911-2002), Salvador Dali (1904-1989), Ben (born 1935), Arman (1928-2005) and André Derain (1880-1954).
A key figure in 20th century art, a pioneer alongside Henri Matisse on the paths of Fauvism, the latter also distinguished himself in several disciplines such as goldsmithing. Born in Chatou, in the Paris region, to a wealthy family, André Derain started to paint when he was only in high school. He entered the Camillo Academy and met Maurice de Vlaminck.
This meeting will be decisive for the young man. Marked by the painting of Van Gogh, the Neo-Impressionists and the work of Paul Cézanne, his painting follows the path that will lead him to Fauvism. After taking classes at the Julian Academy for a few months, André Derain joined Matisse in Collioure in the summer of 1905. From that time on, the artist began collecting works of art from outside Europe. In particular, he buys a Fang mask.
Alongside painting, he was interested in decorative arts such as ceramics, wooden bas-reliefs and sculpture, mainly in stone. Thanks to a move to the Montmartre district, he gets closer to Pablo Picasso and his friends (Braque, Apollinaire and Max Jacob). After a stay in Cadaquès in 1911 with the author of Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, Derain's painting is moving towards a much more classic aesthetic made of perspective and chiaroscuro.
The so-called "Cretan" pendant offered for sale by PIASA is estimated at between 12,000 and 18,000 euros. It is presented in its original box. Made with lost wax, this 23 carat yellow gold object represents a character. His eyes as exorbited eyes take a very important place.
