29 – 30 april Live auction
Classic vs. Modern Works on Paper
Viewing days: 24 – 27 April, 10AM-18PM
Catalogue online from 11 April
During the Works on Paper auction, more than 600 lots will be offered across two sessions held over two afternoons on April 29 and 30.
In the “antique book” section, a magnificent 18th-century insect book (lot 1105, De natuurlyke historie der insecten) and a 19th-century bird book (lot 1036, The History of the Birds of Europe) certainly stand out, but the offering primarily focuses on 20th-century works and drawings. Notable pieces from around the previous turn of the century include the somewhat macabre Le Réveil. L’Œuvre de mort – M. Leblanc by Théophile Steinlen (lot 1052, est.: €3/4000) and a 1911 depiction of Ghent’s Groentenmarkt by Jules De Bruycker (lot 1061, est.: €20/30000), whose work is currently the subject of an exhibition at the MSK.
A charming historical snapshot of Antwerp during that period is provided by a lively drawing by the city’s quintessential chronicler, Eugeen Van Mieghem (lot 1064, est.: €5/7000). His interior view of the legendary Hulstkamp café, executed in ink, watercolor, and brown ink, is drawn on the verso of a death notice, facilitating the dating to 1912. This discovery has already been previously reported.
From the same artist, we present six other drawings, among which the oil on cardboard Mère et enfant (lot 1067, est.: €8/10000) is the most striking.
Four original ink drawings by Rik Wouters (study for a landscape, “Braconnier,” a study for “Nel aan de strijk,” and “La Toilette”) will also go under the hammer, originating from the Onzea-Govaerts collection (lots 1077-1080).
A particular highlight is a small drawing by Paul Klee. His Circus Scene from 1912 was gifted to the current owners by Edith Campendonk-Van Leckwijck, the widow of Heinrich Campendonk (lot 1082, est.: €8/10000). Additionally, approximately 25 drawings and etchings by the celebrated Fred Bervoets will be auctioned, along with two watercolor poster designs by Jean-Michel Folon from the collection of former Europalia exhibitions director Mr. Robert De Smet. Works from the 1980s to the present will also be featured, including pieces by Roger Raveel, René Heyvaert, Ai Weiwei, and Ben Sledsens (lot 1793, est.: €12/14000), Rinus Van de Velde (lot 1792, est.: €8/10000), and Kati Heck (lot 1786, est.: €4/6000).
Gezelle, Cocteau, Alain-Fournier
A private collection from Limburg includes a small selection dedicated to the great Flemish poet Guido Gezelle. Among the highlights are an original letter addressed to Juliaan Claerhout (lot 1517, est.: €600/800), several very rare publications such as Duc nos quo tendimus (1896, lot 1521), reportedly printed in only 25 copies, and an exceptional collection of occasional poetry used on memorial and communion cards (some not referenced in the Boets edition). Particularly noteworthy is a musical edition of Edgar Tinel’s Huldigingskantate (lot 1515), featuring a handwritten dedication to Gezelle, as well as the publication Redevoering over de Christelyke Liefdadigheid by Bruno Van Hove (lot 1510), from the poet’s personal library and signed on the title page. One of the most remarkable items, however, is an original glass negative from 1898 depicting one of the most famous photographs of Gezelle, taken during the summer of 1898 at the Patersmote estate (lot 1522, est.: € 600/800).
In addition to this collection, the owner also held a deep fascination for the renowned French writer, playwright, filmmaker, and polymath Jean Cocteau. In a short span of time, they assembled a small but exquisite collection of sought-after deluxe editions, often enriched with beautiful handwritten dedications and characteristic Cocteau drawings. Most of these copies were bound by the renowned Mechelen bookbinder Alexander Masui. One exceptional item, a copy of 25 dessins d’un dormeur (1929) – one of three deluxe copies printed on Japanese paper – was bound by the famous French bookbinder Germaine Schroeder, celebrated for her bindings of Cocteau and Reverdy works for patrons such as Coco Chanel and Misia Sert (lot 1561, est.: €800/1200).
The true gem of the collection, however, is a stunning first edition of Alain-Fournier’s iconic novel Le Grand Meaulnes from the magical year of 1913. This copy bears a handwritten dedication to Paul Drouot (lot 1542), who, like the author, perished at a young age during World War I.
Parking
Loading zone in front of the entrance (Verlatstraat 18). Nearby underground parking: Kooldok or Steendok (5 min walking distance)
Collecting your purchase
BY APPOINTMENT, from 6 May until 16 May (Monday-Friday between 9AM-12PM and 1PM-5.30PM)
Bidding
You can place bids in four different ways:
- In the room: Platform, Verlatstraat 18, Antwerpen.
You receive a bid number after registration at the front desk, from 30 minutes before the start of the auction.
Commission = 25% - Online: you can submit a ‘prebid’ or you can bid along ‘live’ during the auction.
There are 3 platforms you can use: Bernaerts Live or the app ‘Auctioneers Bernaerts’, Invaluable of Drouotonline
During the auction, you log in to follow the auction live and to place your bids.
Commission = 28% - Place an absentee bid via the online catalogue or mail a completed form to info(at)bernaerts.be at the latest 12h prior to the live auction. The auctioneer will try to acquire your lot at the most advantageous price possible.
Commission = 25% - Request a telephone line via the online catalogue or mail a completed telephone bid form to info(at)bernaerts.be, at the latest 12h prior to the live auction. One of our team members will call you during the auction to bid live.
Commission = 25%