A groundbreaking exhibition at the Musée de l'Orangerie in the Tuileries Garden is bringing the remarkable story of Berthe Weill out of historical obscurity and into the spotlight. This extraordinary woman, who was among the first art dealers to recognize and purchase works by Pablo Picasso for just 100 francs, represents one of the many female pioneers that history has largely erased from the record books.
Weill operated in an art world dominated by powerful men and well-funded male dealers who possessed substantial family fortunes. These established figures in the art market looked down upon her resourcefulness and determination, often dismissing her unconventional approach to running her gallery. To make ends meet and pay her rent, Weill was forced to sell second-hand goods and antiques alongside the revolutionary artworks she championed.
The current exhibition at the prestigious Orangerie museum serves as both a celebration of Weill's contributions to the art world and a long-overdue recognition of her pioneering role in promoting avant-garde artists. Her story exemplifies the struggles faced by women in the male-dominated art dealing business of the early 20th century, where family wealth and established connections often mattered more than artistic vision and entrepreneurial spirit.
What makes this exhibition particularly compelling is how it illuminates Weill's extraordinary ability to identify artistic genius before it was widely recognized. Her early investment in Picasso's work, when the artist was still unknown and his paintings could be purchased for modest sums, demonstrates her remarkable eye for talent and her willingness to take risks that her more conservative, well-established competitors avoided.
