■ A unique event :

Alain Delon reveals part of his drawings collection

Started in the 1970s, the collection of drawings belonging to Alain Delon is a testimony to its owner’s fine taste. Displayed for the first time in 1990 in the Parisian gallery Didier Imbert Fine Art, this exceptional collection, which includes more than 100 drawings, is striking in its quality and its variety. About 40 of the most important drawings will be displayed at the Salon du Dessin. After his first acquisition of a Mico Spadaro drawing, Alain Delon has notably bought the extraordinary Old Man seated by Rembrandt in red chalk.

The 16^th century Italian schools are illustrated by wonderful drawings from the hands of Beccafumi, Pontormo, Vasari, as well as Venetian masters such as Veronese or Palma the Giovane. Among the 17^th century Bolognese artists are Guido Reni and Guercino.

Along with the Italian schools, the Northern schools are also illustrated with prestigious artists such as Peter Paul Rubens, Frans Snyders, Rembrandt and Van Goyen.

Lastly, such a collection would not be complete without the most important French artists and particularly the 19^th century ones: Géricault, Delacroix, Daumier, Millet, Vuillard, Matisse and Degas.

■ The Daniel and Florence Guerlain Drawing Prize

On Thursday 25^th March at 7pm, the Daniel and Florence Guerlain Foundation Prize for contemporary drawing will be awarded at the Salon du Dessin. Created by Daniel and Florence Guerlain in order to promote contemporary drawing, the prize, now held annually, rewards a work on paper or cardboard created exclusively with graphic means. Along with Daniel and Florence Guerlain, the jury will include French and international collectors: Gabriele Bierbaum (Cologne), Anthony Ganz (Los Angeles), Stuart Evans (London), Walter Vanhaerents (Brussels), Germaine de Liencourt, Jean-Claude Marian, Michel Poitevin and will select three artists. The laureate will receive a grant of €15,000 while the two other selected artists will be awarded €2,500 each.

The Swiss artist Silvia Bächli was the prize recipient in 2007. In 2009, it was the Chilean artist Sandra Vasquez de La Horra

La pré-sélection du Prix de dessin 2009 a lieu à la Chapelle des Beaux-Arts, le 17 décembre 2009 à 12h.