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Impressionist Paintings from the Durand-Ruel CollectionTo be Sold by Sotheby’s in New York

Pierre-Auguste Renoir: Femme au chapeau blanc

Pierre-Auguste Renoir: Femme au chapeau blanc

Impressionist Paintings from the Durand-Ruel Collection at Sotheby’s New York

Works by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Camille Pissarro and Alfred Sisley will beOffered on the Evening of 4 November 2009

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Sotheby’s 4 November 2009 Evening Sale of Impressionist and Modern Art in New York will feature seven paintings fromthe Durand-Ruel Collection, encompassing works by a number of theImpressionist masters that legendary art dealer Paul Durand-Ruelrepresented — Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Camille Pissarro and AlfredSisley. All but one work were acquired by Paul Durand-Ruel directlyfrom the artist and all have remained in the family ever since. Manyhave not been exhibited since the 1950s and together the offering isestimated to bring $8.9/12.6 million (£5.4/7.7 million, €6.3/8.9million). Early this fall, highlights will be exhibited in Paris, Hong Kongand London.

Paul Durand-Ruel’s (1831-1922) impact on the history of art and theart market cannot be understated. He revolutionized the relationshipbetween artist and dealer and was responsible for bringing FrenchImpressionism to the world through his galleries in London, New York and Paris. His bold decision to exhibit theImpressionists in New York in 1886 introduced enlightened American wealth to modern French painting. His dossier ofAmerican clients included distinguished names such as Havemeyer, Philips, Potter-Palmer and Pope. It was theirgenerosity, together with Durand-Ruel’s vision, that helped to fill great American museum collections with Impressionistmasterworks.

Camille Pissarro’s sweeping view of Rouen in Le Pont Boieldieu et la Gare d’Orléans, Rouen, Soleil presents one ofFrance’s most modern cityscapes at the threshold of thetwentieth century (est. $2/3 million, £1.2/1.8 million,€1.5/2 million). La Seine à Argenteuil with its tranquil ambiance and focus on the rural, pre-industrial aspects of river life is typical of Alfred Sisley’s finest work (est. $1.5/2 million,£900,000/1.2 million, €1/1.5 million).

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Impressionist Paintings from the Durand-Ruel CollectionTo be Sold by Sotheby’s in New York