Collector Alain Weill at home

When we first met, Cyril Duret had just graduated from the University of Arts ENSAD in Nancy where his teacher, artist Etienne Pressager, had recommended that he contact me for his thesis. He has since exhibited his “Portraits mondains” in a few galleries, in Provence where he lives part of the time and his new show at Loeve&Co Marais is on until October 15 in a delightful greenhouse, rue de Montmorency. I am not sure that the word “mondain” is appropriate for his series of art collectors and curators, who are usually hard working people, but his paintings are interesting as a genre. He is better with men than with ladies and he is good at enhancing their attitudes. The decor, the objects, the world of his models, is what really counts.

Auctioneer François de Ricqlès at home with Karim Zeriahen

He obviously paints a decor rather than a portrait and his interest for the background in the picture takes after Edouard Vuillard as François de Ricqlès, one of his models, mentioned. In his portrait with Karim Zeriahen, the mix of Jean Michel Ohtoniel sculptures and antique furniture is exciting.

The gallery with a glass ceiling is very beautiful

In his first solo exhibition at the gallery, Cyril Duret, 29, has gathered an interesting mix of musicians, actresses and artsy people, and at the opening, photographers Pierre et Gilles and Patrick Faigenbaum came to encourage him. He works from photographs shot in the protagnonist’s apartment, and paints in his studio in Beaucaire or in Paris. I prefer his paintings when  the character is overwhelmed by the decor, like in Patrick Mauriès’ case and I could easily see him create decors for a play or even an opera.

Pierre et Gilles with Patrick Faigenbaum and Cyril Duret

His paint sometimes looks like pastel and has an interesting texture with splashes of white. The light of the gallery with a glass roof and the mix of friendly portraits, gives a feeling of being in a salon where these contemporary art lovers are reunited around the young ambitious artist. The next show will be interesting to observe… His childhood in Nancy is behind him, and Paris is obviously his new playground.

Art book publisher Patrick Mauriès at home

It is worth visiting the gallery Loeve&Co in the courtyard of 16 rue de Montmorency near Beaubourg and follow this young artist who will definitely soon make a real splash! Paintings sell for 3 000€ to 10 000€.