PARIS.- On 25th October Artcurial will be auctioning the collection from Robert William Burke’s flat. An American by birth, he chose to settle in Paris where he meticulously preserved the collection he had painstakingly accumulated over the course of his career and through his artistic friendships. Many specialities are represented in this collection: contemporary art, photography, prints and books (Andy Warhol, Gilbert & George, Cy Twombly, Sol Lewitt, Robert Rauschenberg, Bruce Nauman, Sarkis, Christopher Makos, Michel Comte, David Seidner, Robert Demachy, Cecil Beaton, Horst P. Horst), design (Jacques Adnet), as well as primitive arts, archaeology and Oriental arts, old paintings and Asian art.

Alongside a previously unseen silkscreen ink on canvas by Andy Warhol called Warren (1962), estimated at €400,000 - 600,000, two others by the same artist will be presented: This Side Up (1962), estimated at €200,000 - 400,000 and a third, VIP Tickets - Studio 54 (1978), estimated at €80,000 - 120,000. All three works are signed gifts from Warhol to his friend, Robert William Burke. Also offered for auction is a rare example of a parchmentcovered wooden column floor lamp by Jacques Adnet, formerly located in Warhol’s Paris flat, estimated a €40,000 - 60,000.

In photography, Gilbert & George’s Dusty Corners - No. 16 (1975), estimated at €200,000 - 300,000, will be presented.

« This unique collection reflects the history of Robert William Burke’s close friendships with some of the greatest artists of the 1960s and 1970s: Andy Warhol, Cy Twombly, Robert Rauschenberg, Gilbert & Georges... » – Stéphane Aubert, Auctioneer & Associate Director, Artcurial

Robert William Burke (1948-2020)

Born in the small town of Marianna, Arkansas, Robert William Burke was the adopted son of Robert Burke and his wife, Sarah Evelyn Burke. A brilliant student, William studied literature and history at Hendrix College. He then chose to study for his third year at the Institut d’études européennes in Paris and later attended Roland Barthes’ lectures at the Collège de France.

After Robert William Burke’s career began at the legendary Gotham Book Mart in New York in the late 1960s, he decided to settle permanently in Paris. He started at Art Service International with Bénedicte Pesle, who was responsible for introducing many avantgarde American artists, dancers and musicians to the European public. He soon became friends with many key figures from the intellectual and artistic world of the time, including Roland Barthes, Robert Wilson, Merce Cunningham, Robert Rauschenberg, Cy Twombly, Gilbert & George and Andy Warhol.

Robert William Burke had already formed a special friendship with Warhol, as he regularly visited the Factory before leaving New York. In Paris, Robert William Burke lived in the flat that Warhol shared with his partner Fred Hughes on rue du Cherche-Midi. He became the American artist’s confidant and took charge of each of his Parisian stays.

In 1972, he moved to Ileana Sonnabend’s gallery on Quai des Grands Augustins, and later Rue Mazarine. The gallery presented American Pop Art and Minimal Art artists who were still unknown in Europe, such as Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg, Cy Twombly, Gilbert & George and Andy Warhol. Working directly with Cy Twombly, he developed a true friendship that was based on their shared roots.

Andy Warhol and Cy Twombly each had a significant influence on the way he lived, dressed and wrote; an influence that is felt almost instantly when you see his home and his collection, in which archaeology, contemporary art and photographs are combined in a world of mystery and timelessness.

In 1975, he and Samia Souama opened the gallery La Remise du Parc, which displays both rare 19th century photographs and contemporary works. The gallery, a pioneer in the field, contributed to introducing the photographic medium to the art market, giving it a strong position. The first European exhibitions by Robert Mapplethorpe were held there. After the gallery closed in 1983, William continued to work independently until his health forced him to retire.

His collection is a testament to good taste and sound artistic choices.