On June 29, Sotheby's will auction off a collection of paintings, drawing, prints, and books from the personal collection of Ambroise Vollard. Vollard was turn-of-the-century Paris's Kingmaker. He promoted the careers of Cezanne, Van Gogh, Renoir, Matisse and Picasso. He was a champion of "modern art" at the turn of the century, and a friend to many of his artists as well as a dealer. That said, Vollard was a shrewd businessman at his core. Below, in the words of Henri Matisse, is the story of the relationship between Vollard and Cezanne:
From time to time in the evening, he (Vollard) used to visit him (Renoir). Often, in order to work, Renoir was obliged to throw him out. One day he told him: "You should do something for Cezanne; believe me, he's a great artist."
Cezanne's exhibition took place. Almost everyone was against it. No one could believe it. They thought it dreadful. The bourgeois who know they understand nothing of art -- they not only passed up Cezanne but also Renoir, Bonnard and many others; the bourgeois claimed that Cezanne's painting did not conform to the Greek canan of beauty. . . But this Vollard was a cunning fellow, a gambler, and he had a flair for business. He succeeded in setting up a gallery on the rue Lafitte. Forain said of him then that he was the "tripe-seller" of the rule Lafitte.
Vollard had acquired a considerable number of Cezannes. They were everywhere; the walls were covered with them; there were even piles on the floor, one right next to another, leaning up against the wall. He had managed to buy them at a low price. Cezanne, moreover, had judged him: "Vollard is a 'slave trader.'"
"Slave trader" seems harsh. But art dealers are businessmen just like furniture salesmen and Honda dealers . . . and they always have been.
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