|
IN SHORT
|
Prepare a stay in Lausanne punctuated by a stop at Arteal, a young auction house located in Flon, for a March session that is both varied and rich in discoveries. With 238 lots ranging from furniture to works of art, from Finnish and Russian silverware to grand crus, the interior and cellar of a discreet connoisseur, nicknamed Mr. Z, compose an eclectic panorama where modernity meets heritage. Exhibition on March 6 and 7, live auction on Saturday, March 8 at 2 PM, Rue du Port-Franc 9 (2nd floor), with an online catalog available via Drouot and Interenchères. Works by Helen Layfield Bradley, Jean Cocteau, Lucio Fontana, and Ernest Bieler, not forgetting an imperial of Château d’Yquem 1985, mark a route that will appeal to both novices and seasoned collectors.
In the heart of the creative district of Flon, the young house Arteal, led by Capucine Clémendot and Sarah Prus, occupies the former spaces of the legendary dealer Alice Pauli for a session with the aroma of a cabinet of curiosities. The collection comes from the interior and the cellar of an anonymous Lausanne collector, known for having an eye open to both modern art and antique pieces. This plurality is reflected in a selection that ranges from an intimate oil painting to a radical silkscreen, from a luminous pastel to ornate silverware, before diving into a lineup of exceptional bottles.
An eclectic taste, from rugs to oil on panel
With 238 lots, the auction appeals to all tastes. The estimates create a flexible scale, from accessible items—such as a rug listed for around 20 francs—to flagship works valued at several tens of thousands of Swiss francs. The approach of Arteal highlights the coherence of a universe where styles converse: the clean lines of 20th-century furniture respond to older pieces, while significant signatures of modernism echo more intimate finds.
The works that capture light
Among the highlights, an oil on panel by Helen Layfield Bradley, depicting a walk along the water, stands out for its vivid narration and estimation between 18,000 and 26,000 CHF. A drawing by Jean Cocteau, worked in black pencil on watermarked paper, offers a refined entry point within a budget ranging from 500 to 700 CHF. Avant-garde enthusiasts will discover a “Concetto Spaziale” by Lucio Fontana, a silkscreen from 1965 sourced from a Vaud gallery, estimated between 1,000 and 1,500 CHF. And for a Swiss perspective on color, Ernest Bieler’s pastel “Autumn in Valais” unfolds a palette of ochre and copper, valued between 10,000 and 15,000 CHF.
The cellar of Mr. Z: the allure of large formats
The wine section reflects a discerning passion. Notably, it includes an imperial (6 liters) of Château d’Yquem 1985, estimated between 2,000 and 3,000 CHF, a format known for enhancing aging potential. Connoisseurs know: the generosity of the container subtly influences the evolution of the content. This piece could inspire some exciting bidding wars, especially as demand for grand crus continues to rise.
Practical information to experience the auction up close
Dates, times, and address
The exhibition is on March 6 from 11 AM to 7 PM and on March 7 from 11 AM to 5 PM (also by appointment). The live auction starts on Saturday, March 8 at 2 PM, at the following address: Rue du Port-Franc 9, 2nd floor, Lausanne. The catalog is available online, as well as on the platforms Drouot and Interenchères, to fine-tune your searches before your visit.
Preparing your bids and budget
Sign up in advance, request condition reports, and set a clear ceiling. The variety of estimates allows for entry into collecting from just a few dozen francs, while some signatures require a more robust budget. If bidding remotely, check the buyer’s fees, the transport conditions (especially for wines), and the pickup deadlines. In the auction room, anticipate the lot markers and take the time to appreciate the patina, colors, and the artist’s hand under the light.
Stay tips: organize your visit to Lausanne
Getting there by train or plane, and traveling smart
Lausanne is served by efficient rail services from Geneva, Zurich, and neighboring France. When flying via Geneva or Zurich, compare offers from agencies and monitor seasonal flight sales to optimize your budget; booking trends, especially in spring, may impact prices (read about the dynamics of flight sales in agencies). Also, be mindful of the frequent cabin baggage fees on low-cost airlines, which can originate around 35 € depending on pricing policies (helpful to anticipate via this overview on cabin baggage). Finally, the vibrancy of European tourism may strain hotel occupancy; the projection of major hotel players, as illustrated by the analysis of summer growth, invites early booking, even for a Swiss city break.
Where to stay and eat between visits
The Flon district is full of friendly addresses: stylish cafes, contemporary eateries, and urban terraces allow for a break between the exhibition and the auction. For a sweet touch, why not get inspired by these passionate paths that reinvent pastry and homemade cakes, like this story of a former childcare assistant turned pastry chef? As for accommodation, choose a hotel close to the Station, Lake Geneva, or Plateforme 10 to combine logistics and cultural desires.
Ideas for escape around the auction
Before or after the session, explore the museums of Plateforme 10, the Collection of Outsider Art, or the shores of Ouchy. A getaway to the Lavaux vineyards, listed as UNESCO World Heritage, pleasantly extends the discovery of Mr. Z’s cellar. As the Olympic capital, Lausanne also fosters a rich sporting tradition; the curious might enjoy diving into readings on the roots of basketball and its founding places, like this mention of Almonte, before plunging into the frenzy of the auctions.
The common thread of Arteal: modernity, heritage, and the pleasure of collecting
What takes place at Arteal revolves around a vision: that of a collector, Mr. Z, who cultivated unexpected connections between schools, eras, and objects. The directors, Capucine Clémendot and Sarah Prus, orchestrate this diversity with a clear scenography that facilitates the reading of the lots. One learns to listen to the material of a pastel, the tension of a line in pencil, the energy of an avant-garde etching, and the depth of a wine that has reached maturity. An invitation, in sum, to collect according to one’s means, with the eye wide open and pleasure as a guide.
