Get ready for Monaco Art Week’s best year yet, with hundreds of beautiful pieces from exceptional artists the world over.
Monaco Art Week was created in 2018 as a way to federate Monaco’s cultural institutions. The idea took the form of a cross-Principality event that highlights and promotes its vibrant and ever-growing art scene, and in 2023, that community is bigger than ever.
The week, held from 4th to 9th July in conjunction with artmonte-carlo, will be a veritable potpourri of modern and contemporary art, design and fine jewellery melded together in an easy, walkable format… Think of it as a treasure hunt for the art and luxury goods crowd!
As such, the organisers have put together an exhibition trail that allows visitors to hit all the galleries and auction houses efficiently and not miss a thing. Numerous get-togethers, round tables and professional encounters as side events add that extra – and highly appreciated – element of depth and information.
15 galleries and auction houses, all presented by Monaco Life below, have signed on to be part of the 2023 event.
1/ LEBRETON
Lebreton will be featuring an exhibit called The French Riviera’s Light – Historical Ceramics and Works of Art from the 50s to the 70s. This is a can’t-miss for lovers of 20th century art by artists who worked in the region. Prepare to be awed by some amazing pieces by Picasso, Suzanne-Ramié Madoura, Roger Capron, Jean Derval and Jean Cocteau, to name but a few.
2/ WARD MORETTI AT MORETTI FINE ART
Impressionism: Painting from Nature will offer a glimpse into the beauty of the natural world from Ward Moretti in collaboration with Moretti Fine Art. The show will present an exceptional selection of impressionist works by great masters such as Pierre Bonnard, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Camille Pissarro and Édouard Vuillard for the first time together in Monaco.
3/ ARTCURIAL
In another first, Artcurial is offering a look at an exquisite private Monegasque collection of transalpine design. Design sul Mare will include historical pieces from renowned architects and designers such as Gio Ponti, Gino Sarfatti, Fausto Melotti, Gabriella Crespi and the Campana Brothers.
The gallery will also be hosting Monaco Sculptures, an event now in its fourth edition where a selection of fabulous sculptures are positioned in the gardens and parks of the Principality. This group of inspired 20th and 21st century works come from such talents as François-Xavier Lalanne, Balthasar Labo, Wang Keping, Arman, César, Philippe Hiquily and Allen Jones.
4/ HAUSER & WIRTH
Hauser & Wirth’s exhibition ‘John Chamberlain, The Poetics of Scale’ combines the American artist’s early poetry with his 1980s sculptural series, Gondolas and Tonks, exemplifying his poetic approach to materials and scale. As a special treat, Chamberlain’s poetry is shared publicly for the first time from a collection of works he wrote whilst attending Black Mountain College in North Carolina in the 1950s.
5/ SOTHEBY’S
The Sotheby’s Summer Show will kick off its summer private selling season in style, with exhibitions showcasing a carefully curated collection of art and luxury items that will be going under the gavel this summer. Expectations are high as last year’s hit event, featuring nature artists Claude and François-Xavier Lalanne, was huge. The follow-up will no doubt be just as spectacular.
6/ HOFA & YELLOW CORNER
Irish artist Mary Ronayne’s satirical and colourful creations will be on display with Utopian Portraits at Yellow Corner in a show being put on by HOFA. Her works feature fun elements such as googly-eyed dinner guests being entertained by two women swinging above them on what looks to be giant cotton wool balls, people dancing on countertops and comical garden parties that can’t help but put a smile on even the grumpiest face.
7/ OPERA GALLERY
Lovers of the greats will adore the Monaco Masters Show at Opera Gallery. This exhibit will feature pieces from well-known names of the modern and contemporary periods such as Marc Chagall, Pablo Picasso, Fernando Botero, Fernand Léger and Manolo Valdès, amongst others.
8/ M. F. TONINELLI ART MODERNE
A rare and exclusive collection of sculptures will be featured at M. F. Toninelli Art Moderne’s Important Modern Scuptures show. Some of the showcased talents include Jean Arp, Constantin Brancusi, Giorgio De Chirico, Jean Ipousteguy, Asger Jorn, Jacques Lipchitz, Giacomo Manzú and Marino Marini. It is a must-see for lovers of beautiful objets d’art.
9/ ELISABETH LILLO-RENNER
For those who like their baubles, Elisabeth Lillo-Renner will unveil some unique pieces in collaboration with Martin Spreng and Margherita Burgener at the Titanic Exhibition. A selection of jewellery created in honour of the natural world, it is a starburst of colourful titanium and precious stones coming together in perfect harmony.
10/ GALERIE ADRIANO RIBOLZI
Sensuality and feminine aspects reign at Galerie Adriano Ribolzi‘s Au cœur d’un regard – Jane Gemayel event. Jane Gemayel’s latest creations will be displayed, including her new series inspired by the artist Rodin, but still with her own bold style, stark imagery and oh-so womanly curves for miles.
11/ BOGHOSSIAN
The Boghossian Gallery is bringing some sparkle to the event with the presentation of its latest jewellery collection: Blue Summer. The pieces on display are all evocative of summery shades of blue, such as the sea and clear skies. The hand-picked selection of stones is unparalleled in colour, texture, cut and quality, and the settings are modern classics, making for absolutely gorgeous pieces. Take it from us, it is impossible to pick a favourite.
12/ TEOS GALLERY MONTE-CARLO
German artist-photographer Alex Crieger is in the spotlight at a solo show at Teos Gallery. His works portray the high life, whether it be luxury goods or celebrities, and are aspirational and inspirational. His imagery has quirky offerings, such as amalgamating stars like Jack Nicholson, Brad Pitt and George Clooney into one piece or transporting Karl Lagerfeld into a palatial setting with models peeking out from behind the doors. It is a fun ride backed up with a real and unique talent. An extension of the show will be hosted at Circe Restaurant in Beaulieu-sur-Mer.
13/ KAMIL ART GALLERY
Kamil Art Gallery is hosting Olga Sinclair, Life in Motion where the artist will make her Monaco debut. The Panamanian’s abstract expressionist works are a feast for the eyes and her solo exhibition will unveil her most recent works. This show will be in collaboration with the Embassy of Panama and the AMLA Association for the diffusion and promotion of Latin American culture in Monaco.
14/ G & M DESIGN GALLERY
Known the world over for his portraits and fashion photography, G & M will be presenting some of the most interesting and iconic works of David Bailey. His celebrity-filled snaps will be joined in the exhibit with a rare chance to see paintings made by the multi-talented artist.
15/ CHRISTIE’S
Christie’s is offering a week of private sales ranging from drawings by the Old Masters to American art, handbags and accessories, as well as just about everything in between. The full list of what is going under the hammer can be found here.
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Photos all supplied by Monaco Art Week