Marchands d'Art

by Daniel Wildenstein, Yves Stavridès

L'autobiographie de l'empereur et du patriarche des historiens, collectionneurs et marchands d'art. Une plongée dans le siècle. Un regard aiguisé sur la fabuleuse planète des arts.
Pour la première fois de son existence, Daniel Wildenstein, troisième maillon de la dynsatie de marchands de tbleaux la pluis puissante au monde et la plus secrète qui soit, a brisé son mutsime légendaire.
Avec Yves Stavridès, le patriarche des marchands d'art nous convie à une promenade intime, à travers des instants de sa vie, des portraits, des récits, des éclairages, des révélations, des réflexions. Passent alors dans le paysage : Clemenceau, Monet, Picasso, Randolph Hearst, Bonnard, Malraux, Paul VI et bien d'autres...

Genres: Art

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Daniel Leopold Wildenstein (11 September 1917 – 23 October 2001) was a French art dealer, historian and owner-breeder of thoroughbred race horses.

He was a member of the Wildenstein family, owners of one of the most successful and influential art-dealerships of the 20th century.

Reviews

[Laurel Zuckerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written with vulgarity, all over the place in time and place, indulgent, offensive and impossibly dishonest, this miraculous little book gives a view like no other of the world of superwealthy art dealers and collectors.
85 when he dictated these notes, Daniel Wildenstein had no inhibitions about revealing stunning secrets. Why Malraux, that thief and art destroyer, REALLY had it in for his father. How Wildenstein's man got appointed at Versailles (Wildenstein convinced the decider's mistress to withhold sexual favors until the deed was done). How Wildenstein's father, never good in math, messed up a mental calculation for 15 paintings and had to send the boy to retrieve a huge check from Hollywood ganster actor Edward G Robinson. How Daniel asked his Dad for a million dollars:
("Daddy, can I have a million dollars?" "What for?" "You'll see." "Ok.")
Daniel's version of various family scandals, from exporting French patrimony to accusations of collaborating with Nazis to tax fraud.
The only pity is that the old man is now dead. It would be great to read his version of the billionnaire's heirs current tribulations.
In short: A MUST read ! -- Pay special attention to the photos. They are a treat.
(Interestingly, there is zero press on this book in France--even though it is written in French.)

[Sibel Nur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book very much especially being in art business, its rather informative,

[Daniel Cunha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delicious dive into the world of art marchands, spanning 3 generations of a family dedicated to the trade. This is a book that puts to earth many myths one may have on the glam surrounding the art trade, but also one that will surprise you with dimensions and perspectives you can't grasp if you're not in the game. Also, there is a family mystery underlying the history, with a surprising twist in the end. A great little book.