“A dealer and amateur painter.” That’s how Georges Aubry is often described. But who was he really? Here on Avenue Aubry, we delve into the life of this influential figure in the Parisian art world.
Georges Aubry was born into a family of doctors. He defied expectations to follow his passion. He chose painting as a career. After studying humanities, Aubry joined the Banque de France in 1904. By 1910, he was a full-time dealer.
Aubry quickly became an expert in seventeenth and eighteenth-century paintings. He also developed a renowned collection of Eug\u00e8ne Delacroix’s works. However, his taste shifted towards the art of his own generation.
Aubry built his trade around artists like Andr\u00e9 Derain and Raoul Dufy. He also worked with Mo\u00efse Kisling, Picasso, Maurice Utrillo, and Maurice de Vlaminck. Paintings by Eug\u00e8ne Boudin, Degas, and Juan Gris passed through his hands. Occasionally, he handled works by Georges Braque, Andr\u00e9 Masson, Jean Metzinger, and Francis Picabia.
From his address on Boulevard Clichy, Aubry operated as a “marchand en chambre”. This meant he was a dealer without a formal commercial address. He navigated the evolving terrain between collecting and dealing in modern art.
In 1925, Aubry finally opened a storefront at 42 rue la Bo\u00e9tie. He devoted it to modern painting. He received financial backing from aristocratic patrons. These were the Baron de Juge and the Baron de Geer.
Aubry held three major sales of modern paintings at the H\u00f4tel Drouot in the early 1920s. The most significant was the sale of his own collection in November 1924. It featured works by Derain, Marie Laurencin, and Utrillo. It also included forty-three prints and drawings by Picasso.
In 1930, Aubry moved his gallery to Avenue de Messine. Five years later, he closed his operation. Yet, he remained an active figure in the Paris art market during and after the war. In 1941, he showcased the paintings of Olivier Debr\u00e9 in a new gallery space.
Georges Aubry’s impact on the Parisian art scene is undeniable. He fostered a market for modern painting. He supported emerging artists. He left a lasting legacy.
So, as you stroll along Avenue Aubry, remember the dealer and amateur painter. Remember Georges Aubry, the man who helped shape the world of modern art in Paris. His spirit lingers here.