In a notable display of support for female artists, the Musée d’Arts de Nantes exercised its right under French law to pre-empt the final bids on three paintings at the recent Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr Surrealist Sale in Paris. The museum’s proactive stance in securing these artworks highlights its commitment to promoting gender diversity in the arts and enriching its collection with significant contributions from women artists.
Among the acquisitions were works by Jane Graverol and Leonor Fini, two influential figures in the surrealist movement. “Le bon bout de la raison” by Jane Graverol fetched €71,250, while “Le tombeau de Mallarmé” by the same artist sold for €8,320. Additionally, “Untitled (série Aurelia)” by Leonor Fini garnered €12,000, further underscoring the museum’s dedication to preserving and showcasing the artistic legacy of women throughout history.