African Art Club

Dear $email,

Sad News.

RIP. Michel Leveau the brilliant founder of the musée Dapper.

He was a person of enormous vision and intellect. He worked till the end. We
will miss him.

His wife Christiane Falgayrettes Leveau sure will continue his good work at the
Dapper Museum that was opened in 1986 in Paris to honor the Dutch explorer Olfert Dapper.

You can read some news on the following sites ( in French)

http://www.lemonde.fr/culture/article/2012/11/15/mort-de-michel-leveau-fondateur-du-musee-dapper_1791411_3246.html

http://www.la-croix.com/Culture-Loisirs/Culture/Actualite/Michel-Leveau-fondateur-du-musee-Dapper-est-decede-_EG_-2012-11-15-876401

You can send your kind words to:

Musée Dapper

35 bis, rue Paul Valéry

75116 Paris – France

Tél. : 01 45 00 91 75

email Christiane Falgayrettes Leveau  at: dapper@dapper.com.fr

David Norden

Book with objects of the Dapper Museum:

Rediscovered Masterpieces of African Art

Lopes, Henri; Fondation Dapper; Gerald Berjonneau; Jean-Louis Sonnery; Bernard de Grunne; Robert Farris Thompson; Pierre Harter; Dominique Lacroze

“Yet here is an art which, when discovered by Europe, touched and overwhelmed the sensitivity of a certain number of the most significant artists of the turn of the century. The emotion it aroused obsessed them and fertilised their imaginations, leaving clear marks on their own canvases and sculptures.’ -From the Preface

Perhaps no other art has had the impact on Modern Art & artists the way African Art has. Indeed, the connection is forcefully asserted in this glorious, limited edition book that I am really pleased and proud to own. Divided into 5 sections: Terracotta, Metal, Ivories, Statuary and Environmental (Utilitarian objects such as Bowls, Cups, Neckrests, Spoons, Stools, and Weapons) you immediately see the creme de la creme of African Art. That is no idle boast either, because the works featured in this book were all selected by a specially formed committee of the Foundation Dapper, with the following criteria: all were unpublished works of art, and are not for sale. Over 85 different african tribes and their art are very well represented here in full and 3/4 page color and black & white photographs, that reflect a very rich heritage and cultural tradition. The respect, awe, and love for the art of this great continent really leaps off the pages! Five stars is really not enough. I wish I could give it 10!

...

Quai Branly: un fétiche volé restitué

Un fétiche à clous , qui avait mystérieusement disparu des collections publiques après la deuxième guerre mondiale, a été restitué aujourd’hui au musée du quai Branly par la fille d’un collectionneur d’art africain qui l’avait acquis de bonne foi.

Ce fétiche Nkondé avait été volé dans les réserves du musée de l’Homme entre 1944 et 1955. Il était entré par la suite chez un collectionneur parisien Armand Charles.

Le fétiche à clous refait surface en public en décembre 2009, lors de la vente de la collection Armand Charles organisée par Enchères Rive Gauche à l’Hôtel Drouot. (voir les photos sur Art Africain info)

En consultant un livre sur les fétiches à clous d’Afrique centrale, l’acheteur Didier Claes s’aperçoit apres la vente que cet objet appartient à l’origine au musée de l’Homme. La vente est annulée. La fille d’Armand Charles, Annie Salles, décide alors de restituer cet “objet magique” au musée du quai Branly, dédié aux arts et civilisations d’Afrique, d’Asie, d’Océanie et des Amériques. More »

A little auction in Brussels with as arts premiers expert Didier Claes & Pierre Amrouce. The auction has 187 lots and will be held on  May 28 2010. It is a small auction mainly interesting for those of you who want to have some terracottas from the Francine Maurer collection.

details and online catalogue: ...