PARIS.- Christie's announced Waring Hopkins, un américain à Paris, an auction taking place in Paris on 10 December, followed by an online sale running from 4 to 15 December.

The approximately 500 lots offered are drawn entirely from the personal collection of this distinguished dealer, whose passions ranged from Symbolism, the Nabis and Surrealism to contemporary art, as well as classical furniture, decorative arts and design. A free-spirited eye, a taste unconstrained by convention, and a sensibility that transcends periods emerge from one work to the next in a subtle and harmonious dialogue. The intimate poetry of Édouard Vuillard finds an unexpected resonance in the organic fantasy of Claude Lalanne and in the inventive, multifaceted ceramic wall composition specially commissioned from Fabrice Hyber. The refined elegance of Delft faience converses with the raw materiality of Jean Dubuffet and armchairs stamped by Jacob Frères. A tribute to the most personal choices of a leading art dealer, this sale at Christie's follows in the footsteps of auctions dedicated to historic figures of the international art market, from Marian Goodman in New York, to the Paris sale in October of the renowned Impressionist dealer Paul Durand-Ruel, and, from a more contemporary perspective, that of Antonio Homem Sonnabend.

Waring Hopkins

Born in the United States to a French mother, Waring Hopkins moved to Paris only upon reaching adulthood. There, he quickly built an exceptional career as both a dealer and collector. Founded in 1984, his gallery soon became a highly respected destination on the international art scene. He regularly participated in leading international fairs, including TEFAF Maastricht, Art Basel and the Paris Biennale. Through his gallery, Waring Hopkins championed key figures of the Nabi movement, including Maurice Denis, Pierre Bonnard, Édouard Vuillard and Ker-Xavier Roussel, as well as the masters of Surrealism and major figures of modern and contemporary art, from Jean Dubuffet to Claude Lalanne. His influence, particularly among a loyal American clientele, played a significant role in enriching public collections. Notable examples include the exceptional ensembles assembled by Zeineb and Jean-Pierre Marcie-Rivière and by Marlene and Spencer Hays, whose collection will be offered by Christie's on 22 and 23 October during Paris Art Week.

Waring Hopkins also pursued an active policy of lending works to major international institutions, contributing to significant exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, and the Fondation Pierre Gianadda in Martigny.

The Collection and the Avenue Gabriel Apartment

Beyond the gallery, the brilliant showcase of his expertise and vision, Waring Hopkins' apartment on Avenue Gabriel revealed a more intimate aspect of his universe. Enriched by the creative influence of his friend, the renowned interior designer Mica Ertegun - whose collection was partially sold by Christie's in New York in 2024, the apartment brought together works linked by subtle affinities and invisible connections. These carefully crafted juxtapositions created dialogues between artists, disciplines and periods. Symbolists, Surrealists and leading figures of modern and contemporary art coexisted with classical furniture, amber objects and sculptures, Carriès stoneware and creations by Line Vautrin, revealing a broad culture, an ever-curious mind and a cross-disciplinary vision of art history.

Gilles Genty, art historian and close friend of Waring Hopkins, remarked: « At his home, one could see what could be seen nowhere else: marvellous, previously unseen works emerging from hidden collections ». He further added, « Waring Hopkins was first and foremost a truly great dealer and one of the world's foremost builders of collections. He helped shape some of the most important collections of our time, including those of Spencer Hays and the Marcie-Rivière family, which have since entered some of the world's leading museums ».

Highlights of the Sale:

Symbolism, the Nabis and the Pont-Aven School ranked among Waring Hopkins' greatest passions. It is therefore no surprise that the leading artists of these movements occupy a central place within the collection.

Among the highlights is Marthe et son fils dans un paysage, painted by Maurice Denis in 1893 (€200,000-300,000). Created in the year of the artist's marriage, this oil painting, together with thirteen other works by Denis in the collection, reflects Hopkins' appreciation for the artist's distinctive brand of Symbolism. Louis Anquetin's Femme de profil is among the rarest works in the sale and is estimated at €100,000-150,000.

The collection also includes thirty-one works by Édouard Vuillard, notably the exquisite pastel Le Boa (€70,000-100,000), alongside nineteen works by Pierre Bonnard, illustrating the breadth of their artistic production, from intimate domestic scenes to explorations of music and theatre.

The Pont-Aven School is represented through works by Charles Filiger, Paul Sérusier and Armand Seguin. Six works by Félix Vallotton complete this section, including La Paresse, a 1896 India ink drawing (€30,000-50,000), a quintessential example of the artist's practice and a testament to Hopkins' admiration for his work.

The sale also shines a spotlight on Surrealism, represented by works from Jean Arp, Max Ernst and Joan Miró.

One of the standout lots is Sans titre, a 1955 oil on canvas by Maria Helena Vieira da Silva (€150,000-250,000).

A monumental work by Fabrice Hyber covers the walls of the dining room in Waring Hopkins' apartment. Featuring L'Homme de Bessines, a recurring figure in Hyber's oeuvre, the work belongs to the series of homeopathic paintings the artist began in 1986 ; Created as a special commission, this ambitious composition plays with materials, dimensions and forms (€40,000-60,000). This openness to contemporary creation also reflects the personal relationships Waring Hopkins maintained with many artists of his generation. Close to figures such as Sam Szafran, Jedd Novatt, Marc Quinn and Fernando Botero, he consistently favoured a direct dialogue with artists, making his collection a natural extension of these artistic and human encounters.

The dialogue between periods continues through an exceptional selection of furniture and design pieces. Two Structure Végétale candelabra by Claude Lalanne (€80,000-120,000 each), created in 2006, explore the interplay of line and curve while standing alongside elegant antique furnishings, including a pair of Russian Neoclassical candelabra dating from around 1800 and a pair of Directoire armchairs by Jacob Frères, circa 1798 (€50,000-80,000).