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Christie’s Paris Celebrates a Century of Vallotton with Rare, Never-Before-Seen Treasures

Christie’s Paris Celebrates a Century of Vallotton with Rare, Never-Before-Seen Treasures February 24, 2025Art Auction, Paris0 Comments

Christie’s Paris Honors a Century of Vallotton with Rare, Never-Before-Seen Works of Art

A Historic Tribute to an Artistic Visionary

The art world is buzzing with anticipation as Christie’s Paris prepares to host a momentous tribute to Félix Vallotton, one of the most enigmatic and influential artists of the Nabis movement. Marking the centenary of his passing, this landmark sale on April 10, 2025, will introduce collectors and connoisseurs to a selection of previously unseen works from Vallotton’s intimate circle.

Félix Vallotton, La Maison rose, Varengeville, 1904. Estimate: €70,000 – €100,000
Impressionist and Modern Art – Sale of the Day, Christie’s Paris, 10 April 2025. © Christie’s Images Limited 2025

A Legacy Carved in Color and Contrast

Félix Vallotton was not just a painter – he was a storyteller, a provocateur, and a master of light and shadow. From his crisp, cinematic compositions to his arresting woodcuts, Vallotton’s art has long held a unique place in the evolution of modernism. His works grace the halls of the MoMA, Musée d’Orsay, and Lausanne’s Musée Cantonal des Beaux-Arts, yet this auction presents something truly special: four rare works, shielded from the public eye for decades, now stepping into the limelight for the first time.

Among the star lots, ‘La Maison Rose, Varengeville’ (1904) is a luminous landscape capturing Vallotton’s fascination with the interplay of architecture and nature. With an estimate of €70,000–100,000, this piece is poised to spark a bidding frenzy. Another highlight, ‘Paysage côtier’ (1896-1970), valued at €30,000–50,000, reflects Vallotton’s unparalleled ability to distill the essence of a scene into pure emotion.

Félix VALLOTTON
Coastal landscape, 1896-1897
21.5 x 33 cm
Estimate: €30,000 – €50,000 © Christie’s Images Limited 2025

The Vallotton That No One Has Seen – Until Now

What makes this sale irresistibly exciting is the provenance. These works hail from the private collection of Pierre Chapuis, a close friend of the Vallotton family, ensuring their authenticity and historic significance. A delicate watercolor, ‘Paysage (Guernesey)’, estimated at €3,000–5,000, offers a rare glimpse into the artist’s softer, more introspective side, while his bronze sculpture ‘Jeune Mère ou Femme et Enfant’ (€20,000–30,000) reveals his exploration of volume and emotion beyond the canvas.

More Than an Auction – A Celebration

This exclusive sale is just one facet of a larger, year-long ‘Année Vallotton’ celebration, spearheaded by the Félix Vallotton Foundation. The festivities culminate in a major retrospective at the Musée Cantonal des Beaux-Arts de Lausanne, showcasing 200 works and revisiting the artist’s indelible influence on modern art.

Félix VALLOTTON
Landscape (Guernsey)
Watercolour on paper
19.4 x 27.3 cm
Estimate: €3,000 – €5,000
© Christie’s Images Limited 2025

Félix VALLOTTON
Young mother or Woman and child
Bronze
26.5 x 7 cm
Designed in 1904; this proof was cast in December 1930 in an edition of 13.
© Christie’s Images Limited 2025

Final Thoughts: A Moment Not to Be Missed

In the realm of art collecting, moments like this are rare – opportunities to claim a piece of history, to bring home an artwork that has lived in the shadows of time. This Christie’s auction is a reawakening of Vallotton’s genius, an invitation to rediscover an artist who was, and still is, ahead of his time.

So, mark your calendars, set your bids, and get ready – because once the hammer falls, these treasures may not surface again for another hundred years.