Page 44 - Studio International - December 1965

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Mathieu 1965
Torque
- 2
1
Boulogne
2 Double Image
having been greatly promoted by Pierre Loeb. one of the
most astute and experienced art dealers in Paris. whose
recent death severely impoverished the art world of Paris.
Loeb put me in touch with Mathieu. and when I called
on him I was somewhat taken aback by his quaint
appearance and eccentric behaviour. the latter becom­
ing more apparent when I discovered that he had very
few canvases hanging on the walls of the large mansion
where he lived alone. apart from the company of
Socrates. Aristotle and other ancient philosophers
whose plaster busts. set atop high white pedestals.
were turned with their faces to the corner in every
room. Somewhat mystified by the absence of canvases.
which most artists like to exhibit in their homes. I asked
if I could see some of his work. ·certainly'. he replied,
having demonstrated his own personal views on philo­
sophers. and led me to another room. where I was
astonished to see that the floor was covered with
quantities of paintings.
With the toe of one of his elegant. fashionable shoes,
he gave a kick to each canvas in turn. explaining simply
that this represented that. and that represented this 1
My main impression on leaving him was that he was
certainly a talented artist with a very smart commercial
approach. This I later discovered to be true. because he
is employed as chief designer to the United States
Lines Company.
A most impressive exhibition entitled ·ouelques
Toiles Parfaites de Utrillo' is now being held at the
Galerie Rene Drouet, where fifteen outstanding can­
vases. dating from his famous White Period to works of
circa 1925 are on show.
At least four of the major canvases being exhibited at
the Gallery originate from _the collection of Monsieur
Paul Guillaume. whose widow. Madame Jean Walter.
has donated them. along with a large part of her
fabulous collection. to the newly renovated Musee de
l'Orangerie. I understand that these magnificent works
will be on show when the Musee will shortly be
opened to the public. It took three or four years to
renovate entirely the Musee de Jeu de Paumes. where
all the masterpieces by the Impressionists are now
housed as a section of the Louvre.
Here in Paris we are all awaiting excitedly the similar
reopening of the Musee de l'Orangerie to which
Madame Jean Walter has so generously given. in the
interest of the art-lover. both connoisseur and amateur.
The Galerie de L'Elysee (69 Faubourg Saint-Honore.
Paris 8) is situated right opposite the Galerie Rene
Drouet. Here Monsieur Alex Maguy runs an elegant
establishment where. in the private back-room office. he
shows to discriminating collectors paintings of great
value and importance. Alex Maguy was formerly a pro­
minent couturier. who himself collected paintings to
decorate his flat on the Ouai des Orfevres. where I used
to be his next-door neighbour. Now he has become one
of the leading and most successful art-dealers in Paris.
When I called on him the other day I was astonished at
the number of truly remarkable canvases he showed me
by the Impressionists: Pissaro. Sisley, Monet. Van
Gogh (whose L 'Homme assis pres du P6ele is one
of his best). He recently sold a painting by Rouault to
the Pope. Leger. Derain and Braque (of the Fauve
period) also several Bonnards are amongst the many
masterpieces in his possession. Those who have a keen
interest. and the means to acquire works of art of top
quality should visit the Galerie de L'Elysee and ask to be
shown some of the treasures. ■
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