Derain portrait of Matisse's wife to auction for $20m

Andre Derain's (1880-1954) vivid portrait of Henri Matisse's wife, Amelie Matisse, is expected to wow crowds when it appears at Christie's Evening Sale of Impressionist and Modern Art on May 8 in New York.


The work is hailed by the auction house as the most important Derain portrait ever to appear at auction, warranting an expected sale price of $15m to $20m.

The painting was created in the summer of 1905, when Derain and Matisse "embarked on a frenzy of painting that would change the course of modern art", according to Christie's.

Their use of shocking, bright palettes astounded crowds at the 1905 Salon d'Automne, leading critic Louis Vauxcelles to coin the term "les fauves" - the wild beasts - which would later be adopted to describe their movement.

Derain Portrait Amelie Matiss
Without Henri and Amelie Matisse, Derain might never have become a painter



"Derain is known for his vivid landscapes, but very few fully-realized portraits by Derain are known to exist," commented Christie's Brooke Lampley.

"This lush and richly detailed homage to Madame Matisse stands as a symbol of the unique camaraderie and intellectual collaboration between Matisse and Derain, the two giants of the Fauve movement."

Matisse was 11 years older than Derain and as such, was instrumental in the progression of Derain's career. It was Matisse and his wife that, disguised as a bourgeois couple of art collectors, visited Derain's house to convince his parents to accept their son's chosen profession as a painter.

You can find all the latest news and investment advice in our Art & Photography news section, as well as some fantastic art for sale in our online store.

Featured products

Elvis Presley Authentic Strand of Hair
Elvis Presley Authentic Strand of Hair
Sale price£399
In stock
Fidel Castro signed certificateFidel Castro Signed Certificate
Fidel Castro signed certificate
Sale price£2,995
In stock
King Henry VIII Autographed DocumentKing Henry VIII Autographed Document
King Henry VIII Autographed Document
Sale price£55,000
In stock