Art galleries

There are art galleries a bit everywhere in Paris, but some of the more exclusive ones can be found in the area around Avenue Matignon and the nearby streets, in the 8^th arrondissement.

Here are some pictures from a recent walk, mostly taken through the show windows, some from inside a few galleries. There are of course a lot of famous names among painters, sculptors… which you no doubt recognize. Other galleries offer other types of art, like furniture, glassware… (I was surprised to see the number of Bernard Buffet paintings offered by many galleries – any special reason?) The only painting where I dared to ask for a price, was a small, modest watercolour by Emile Bernard, Vincent van Gogh’s best friend during his Paris years - 28.000 €. Finally I went home without any purchasing, which anyhow, I must admit, were not planned.

I have a hope that the art market will give a chance to real art lovers and to living artists. Today, in my mind, there is a lot of pure speculative business, where some of the most sought after artists often end up hidden in a safety vault in Switzerland, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong... , not even visible to public. Other less known artists struggle to survive.