Displaying items by tag: coco chanel

On September 12, “Second Floor -- The Private Apartment of Coco Chanel” will open at the Saatchi Gallery in London, providing a first ever glimpse into the home of Coco Chanel. The  iconic fashion designer’s abode at 31 Rue Cambon, Paris, which remains in its original condition, was captured by the filmmaker and photographer, Sam Taylor-Johnson. While a privileged few have been granted access to the apartment, Chanel’s home has never been open to the public.

“Second Floor” will present 45 photographs that reveal how Chanel lived and decorated.

Back in January, a 17^th century masterpiece was discovered at Paris’ legendary Ritz hotel, which is currently undergoing a major $267.5 million renovation. Olivier Lefeuvre, a specialist in the period at Christie’s France, first spotted the work, which is by the French painter and court artist of Louis XIV, Charles Le Brun (1619-1690). How the painting ended up in the Ritz remains a mystery, as the hotel archives lack any reference to the work.

The 400-year-old painting was sold by auction house Christie’s on Thursday, April 18, 2013 to New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art for $1.88 million. The Met does not have any other works by Le Brun so the acquisition will be a welcomed addition to the museum’s collection of 17^th century paintings. The masterpiece is expected to go on display at the Met at the end of May.

The painting, which depicts the killing of Trojan princess Polyxena after she was linked to the death of Achilles, had hung in one of the suites at the Ritz that designer Coco Chanel lived in for over 30 years. Proceeds from the sale will go to the foundation established by Ritz owner Mohamed Al Fayed in memory of his son Dodi, the late boyfriend of Princess Diana.