The Lili Grenier Collection will be auctioned on Monday June 13, 2022 with the Étude Millon in Paris.
Two albums of vintage prints of the model and muse of the greatest painters of the late 19th century such as Toulouse-Lautrec, Edgar Degas are presented.
Lili Grenier was notably photographed by François Gauzi (1862-1933), painter, draftsman, engraver, writer and photographer.
The discovery and associated research around these photographic albums plunge us into the joyful and creative Montmartre bohemian of the end of the 19th century.
The two photographic albums presented here, some of which are made up of duplicates and variant prints, suggest that Lili Grenier ordered several prints of the same image from the photographer to make several albums.
As a sought-after “professional” model, and even crowned with a certain notoriety, she had to give these prints – or a complete album – to various painters in support of their preparatory studies.
Certain images are resolutely “modern” in their attitudes and shots, deliberately cut out and organized with the intention of accompanying the work of the artists. In the 21st century, these albums would be considered “books” of a model.
By gathering and thus mixing “poses” for artists and more intimate and family scenes, Lili Grenier gives us, through these albums, a rare testimony of the life of a model, muse, companion and friend of renowned painters at the end of the 19th century.
Around the sparkling Lili intersect personalities such as Toulouse-Lautrec, Edgar Degas, Albert de Belleroche, René Grenier, Fernand Cormon, Louis Anquetin, Suzanne Valadon, Maurice Utrillo, Hélène Vary, Émile Bernard, Roger Claudon…
Étude Millon : Collection Lili Grenier
Monday, June 13, 2022
Salle V V — Quartier Drouot
3 rue Rossini
75009 Paris
Millon Trocadero
5, avenue d’Eylau
75116 Paris
www.millon.com
