The ensemble comprises approximately 180 works, some of which survived the Second World War, confiscation and restitution with a second tranche of postwar additions. It is expected to make in the region of €1.4-2m.
Viennese-born Alphonse Kann (1870-1948) was a collector of wide-ranging and eclectic tastes who bought furniture and objects, Asian and tribal art, antiquities and Old Masters as well as modern paintings by Impressionist and Cubists.
Over 1400 works from his vast collection were taken by the Nazis in 1940 from his townhouse in Saint Germain en Laye. But part of it was restituted to his heirs, including his niece Hélène (1910-2000) who added her own selection of works by contemporary and modern artists, many of whom she knew personally.
Around half the material on offer comes from Alphonse and among the highlights will be this work by Georges Braque, a plastered wood, pencil and watercolour nude study titled Nu Etendu. It is estimated at €40,000-60,000.
