A stunning collection of ethnographic works assembled by the French art historian and collector, Marceau Riviere over more than 50 years is to be offered for auction. In the course of his life, Riviere’s promotion of African art contributed immensely to the understanding and rediscovery of many artists, in particular from the Ivory Coast.
Riviere’s lifelong fascination for Africa began during his childhood and he began collecting at the age of 11 buying a mask that he still owns today. In later life he moved to Africa, living in Chad, the birthplace of the Sao civilisation. Travelling throughout the continent, he developed friendships with village chiefs and researched local art and customs. He developed an instinctive understanding of an art form that has remained a major influence since the ‘discovery’ of primitivism in the 20th century.
Exhibition from June 13th to 18th.
Sale on June 19th at Sotheby’s, Paris, France
www.sothebys.com
Art Shown (Zande Figure | Congo Collection Marceau Rivière To be sold by Sotheby’s Paris on June 19th)
