The Briscadieu auction house is presenting an extraordinary collection of 63 previously unseen works by renowned French artist Bernard Buffet, featuring paintings, drawings, and engravings that have never been displayed in museums or offered on the art market. The remarkable collection comes from the personal holdings of Hugues Alexandre Tartaut, who served as Buffet's private secretary and close friend throughout the artist's career.
This exceptional sale doubles as a museum-quality exhibition running from Thursday, November 13 through Saturday, November 15 at the Briscadieu auction house in Bordeaux. The collection represents a unique opportunity for art enthusiasts and collectors to view works that have remained hidden from public view for decades. All pieces in the collection were created between the 1950s and Buffet's final working years before his death in 1999.
The works are being offered for sale following the death of Hugues Alexandre Tartaut in 2025, as part of his estate succession. According to Antoine Briscadieu of the auction house, "All the works for sale were produced between the 1950s and the final years when Bernard Buffet was able to work before his passing in 1999." The collection spans nearly five decades of the artist's creative output, providing insight into his evolving style and techniques.
What makes this collection particularly special is its personal nature and provenance. Bernard Buffet and his wife Annabelle regularly gifted artworks to Tartaut for his birthdays and Christmas celebrations over the years, creating a deeply personal collection that reflects their close friendship. Each of the 63 lots being offered carries a dedication from the artist, making them not only artistically significant but also historically valuable as documents of personal relationships within the art world.
The three-day exhibition period before the Saturday auction allows visitors to view these previously unknown works in a setting that rivals major museum presentations. Art historians and Buffet enthusiasts will have the rare opportunity to study pieces that have never been subject to scholarly examination or public display, potentially offering new insights into the artist's creative process and personal relationships.
