Swiss Masters in the Spotlight at Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer

Feb 23
4 min read

Albert Anker 1831 - 1910

Mädchenbildnis

Swiss Masters in the Spotlight at Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer

As every year, the auction house Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer dedicates its first annual sale to Swiss art and international art before 1900, alongside collectible timepieces with the third edition of the Basel Watch Auction.

In total, 269 lots across three catalogues will go under the hammer on March 11 in Basel.

Our catalogue dedicated to Swiss art brings together exceptional works by the great Swiss masters of the 19th and 20th centuries, including two paintings by Cuno Amiet (1868–1961), each estimated at CHF 500,000–700,000, among the finest and most significant works by the artist ever to appear on the market.

The first, Arbre fruitier enneigé, depicts a solitary tree set against a luminous background, radiating light, colour and atmosphere; the snow shimmers in blue and violet tones, contrasted with vivid yellow for an exceptional chromatic harmony. This work ranks among Amiet’s most important winter landscapes.

The second, Hiver dans les montagnes, stands out for the singular character of this mountain landscape and its sea of clouds an unusual composition for Amiet. The artist employs bright, luminous colours that lend the fog, snow and mountains an almost decorative effect. Instead of realistic shadows, simplified forms and clearly defined planes of colour dominate, transforming the misty atmosphere into a powerful and richly coloured natural phenomenon. Reality and subjective perception merge seamlessly. This composition is remarkably bold and modern. Proof of their museum quality, both paintings have been requested on loan for the exhibition Cuno Amiet, Les Quatre Saisons at the Musée d’art de Pully (17.9.2026–9.1.2027).

Another highlight of this sale is a magnificent Portrait de jeune fille by Albert Anker (1831–1910), estimated at CHF 500,000–700,000. While portraiture represents only part of the Bernese master’s oeuvre, these works remain among his most remarkable achievements. Animated by profound empathy, the artist delicately captures the seriousness and shyness inherent to childhood, affirming Anker’s place among the major painters of his time.

Among the other major works are two paintings by Félix Vallotton (1865–1925), including Les Alyscamps, a reference to the Roman necropolis in Arles, whose celebrated tree-lined avenue also inspired Paul Gauguin and Vincent van Gogh. Estimated at CHF 250,000–350,000 and considered one of the artist’s major creations, the work depicts a tree-lined path bathed in light, where shadows and vivid colours create a serene, almost dreamlike atmosphere. The balance of the composition and the subtle handling of light invite quiet contemplation.

With an equally sensitive approach to light and spatial construction, L’Escalier du couvent San Marco, Pérouse (estimate: CHF 200,000–300,000) stands as the most remarkable painting within a group of eight oils executed in September 1913.

Also noteworthy is La belle Rose by Ernest Biéler (1863–1948), estimated at CHF 200,000–300,000. In 1934, the artist stages one of his favourite models in a large-format composition, reinterpreting with modernity the Valais themes that made his reputation.

Finally, although best known as one of the most important Swiss authors of the 20th century, Friedrich Dürrenmatt (1921–1990) was also a passionate painter and draughtsman whose visual work remained largely confidential during his lifetime. Fifteen drawings will be offered in our sale, with additional works featured in our online auction.

In the catalogue dedicated to international art before 1900, we present part of the Neumann Collection, assembled by Vera Neumann and Lotar Neumann. Originally from the Czech Republic, the couple settled in Switzerland in 1960 and became owners of the Château de Gingins (canton of Vaud), building a remarkable collection initially focused on Old Masters, and later on Art Nouveau and Symbolism.

Among the key works offered is Portrait d’un prélat (estimate: CHF 80,000–120,000) by Corneille de Lyon, known in his time as Corneille de La Haye, in reference to his native city. He was one of the most important painters of the French Renaissance, executing small-format portraits depicting his sitters in bust against coloured backgrounds typically green, as seen here. Crowned in 1547, Henri II appointed Corneille as his official painter and granted him naturalisation in recognition of his services.

The collection also features a selection of works by Eugène Grasset (1845–1917), one of the pioneers of Art Nouveau, as well as a superb vase and a magnificent lamp by Émile Gallé (1846–1904), master glassmaker and eminent representative of the movement.

Notably, this section also includes ten engravings by the German master Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528) and a group of 18th-century miniatures small-scale paintings typically devoted to portraiture.

A third catalogue is dedicated to collectible timepieces for the third edition of the Basel Watch Auction. The sale will feature 28 lots and will particularly spotlight the house of Patek Philippe, the last independent Geneva watch manufacture still family-owned.

Among the 12 exceptional Patek Philippe watches, the Beyer No. 17, Ref. 3940 (estimate: CHF 200,000–400,000) commands particular attention. This 18-carat yellow gold automatic wristwatch, equipped with a perpetual calendar and moon phases, was created to celebrate the 225th anniversary of the retailer Beyer in Zurich.

Reference 3940, produced from 1985 to 2007, is considered a major milestone in complicated watchmaking. The first 25 examples were specially created for the occasion, featuring personalised numbered dials: numbers 1 to 15 display a German calendar, while numbers 16 to 25 feature an English calendar. The example presented here, No. 17, belongs to the group of 10 pieces with English calendar and represents an exceptional collector’s piece.