Master Drawings Meet Collectors and Specialists at Paris's Salon du Dessin

The Salon du Dessin, an international benchmark for drawing collectors since 1991, has once again opened its doors in Paris. Until March 30th, the majestic Palais Brongniart hosts this prestigious exhibition, showcasing masterpieces on paper spanning various eras. The event draws a global audience of collectors, experts, curators, researchers, and enthusiasts, gathered among its 39 international galleries. Florence Chibret-Plaussu, Co-President of the Salon, emphasizes the intimate format that fosters dialogue between gallerists and visitors, making it an ideal gateway for new collectors who consistently appreciate its unique atmosphere, quality, and diversity.

Among the distinguished participating galleries are illustrious names such as Didier Aaron & Cie, Härb Nuti, Galerie La Forest Divonne, Galerie Larock-Granoff, and Galerie Laurentin. The Salon also proudly features significant Italian exhibitors, including Paolo Antonacci, Bottegantica, Enrico Frascione, Aleandri Arte Moderna, and Laocoon Gallery/W. Apolloni. A particularly unique attraction is "The Anonymous Drawings Stand," a dedicated space for drawings whose authors have not yet been definitively identified. Here, studies and preparatory works, often unsigned, await attribution through the intuition of specialists or documented provenance, offering a rare opportunity for live art historical discoveries.

On display and available for purchase, a curated selection of well-known works includes Vincenzo Gemito's intense Medusa from Pandora Old Masters; Louis Léopold Boilly's Portrait of Blanche Charlotte de Roncherolles, Countess of Ferragut (1791–1862) presented by Didier Aaron & Cie; and Alberto Martini's 1905 self-portrait from Laocoon Gallery/W. Apolloni. Other highlights feature Eugène Delacroix's 1832 Study of a young Algerian (Galerie Alexis Pentcheff), Gustav Klimt's 1912 Nude seated seen from the front (Aleandri Arte Moderna), Suzanne Valadon's Woman sitting down wiping her shoulder (Galerie de la Présidence), Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo's ambitious The Wedding Procession of Polichinelle (Galerie Eric Coatalem), and Degas's Fishing Boat at the Entrance to the Port of Dives-sur-mer (Stephen Ongpin Fine Art). All these masterpieces are, of course, meticulously crafted on paper.

Beyond the impressive array of international galleries, the 2026 edition's guest of honor is the André Malraux Museum of Modern Art (MuMa – Le Havre). Inaugurated in 1961 by André Malraux in the hometown of artists like Monet, Dubuffet, Friesz, Dufy, and Braque, MuMa is celebrated for its rich Impressionist and Fauvist collections, alongside its extensive Boudin fund and Marande legacy. A recent significant donation from Hélène Senn-Foulds has further solidified its status as one of France’s foremost Impressionist collections. At the Salon, MuMa proudly presents works by masters such as Renoir, Pissarro, Sisley, Degas, Courbet, and Corot.

Hervé Aaron, Co-President of the Salon, emphasizes the event's crucial and vital role in the dynamics of the art market, which explains the return of many prestigious galleries after years of absence. Initially a key event for ancient drawings, the Salon has gracefully evolved, welcoming esteemed galleries specializing in modern drawings and successfully achieving a harmonious balance between historical periods. Looking to the future, the integration of significant contemporary drawing galleries is deemed essential to sustain this momentum and preserve the unique intergenerational charm that defines the Salon du Dessin.