The Musee de l'Orangerie's second exhibit downstairs was entitled Jean Walter & Paul Guillame Collection. Actually this 145 painting exhibit was compiled by the art dealer Paul Guillame's widow Domenica of his collection from 1912 until his death in 1934. (BTW Jean Walter, an architect and industrialist was her second husband.)
Can you imagine having your apartment's walls filled with the famous works of artists like Rousseau?
Soutine,
Modigliani ,
Cézanne,
Derain,
Matisse,
Guillame did not represent Picasso but they shared an interest in primitive art of which Guillame had an extensive collection but he did hold a show for both Matisse and Picasso in his gallery. Guillame's artists thought highly of his endeavors on their behalf.
I was enthralled with the miniature models of the Guillames's dining room ... Take a close look .
and his study...
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| Paul Guillame's widow Domenica sold off his extensive African sculpture collections |
Can one even guess what this collection must be worth? Guillame had been poor growing up but he certainly didn't die poor at age 43.
Although Guillame died before his dream of creating a museum could come to fruition, rumor has it his premature death was suspicious. Domenica somehow was cleared of all the charges after donating his collection to the state which has been on permanent display here in the Musee de l'Orangerie since 1984.
Très intéressant, non?
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