At only 24 years old, Antoine opens his Art gallery, rue Saint-Nicolas in Rouen

Rouen loves the heritage, the port life, the Armada, the sea which bathes the cliffs a few dozen kilometers away. Rouen loves artists, painters who exhibit. A new gallery dedicated to painting and sculpture sneaks into the existing space: The Marine Art Galleryrue Saint-Nicolas.

More than a project, a dream

This gallery is the culmination of some recent years of reflectionthe dream of Antoine Lavirotte. After his studies at the IAE, a master’s degree in audit-management, avenue Pasteur, he plans a career as an accountant.

Two years ago in the first year of my master’s degree, I understood that my passion for maritime art was the strongest. So I will open a gallery. Nevertheless, I finalized my end-of-studies diploma with a thesis related to art on the theme of the advice of the chartered accountant to art galleries. To what extent does the support of the accountant adapt to different types of art galleries? This allowed me to be informed and therefore square on legal and tax matters.

Very quickly, he understands that this is not the path he wants to take. Diver, hunter underwaterof marine archaeology, grandson of an art gallery owner from Saint-Malo turned towards the sea, the young 24-year-old from Normandy hoists the sail and sets off in search of a showcase.

After much effort, he found rue Saint-Nicolas a stone’s throw from rue de la République, 90 m2, for rent for 10 years, formerly a “fish pedicure” where enthusiasts came to immerse their feet in a 25° pool filled with “garra rufas” small toothless fish that feast on dead skin and other calluses. Objective for amateurs: to have soft and smooth feet at the end of the session!

Teamwork

No time to waste, it’s time to renovate the premises with family and friends. At the same time, Antoine gets to know Rouen gallery owners well established and approach of several painters and sculptors contemporaries of the marine universe.

Out of 25 positive contacts – difficult choice – he retained 17, technically good, strong in a personal style and never represented in Rouen. Normans, Bretons, Charentais and Parisians. “They are all already established artists,” emphasizes Antoine, “painters, sculptors, master ceramists, some are official painters of the Navyother members of the Academy of Maritime Arts and Sciences or even members of the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts. Their personal and artistic experiences will also be summarized for each of them on the gallery website. Official painters of the Navy: Olivier Desvaux, Marie Détrée, Jonathan Florent, Young Man Kwon and Sylvie du Plessis”.

80 works permanently

At the gallery you will find around 80 works of art permanently, gouaches at €500, canvases from 500 to 7,000 euros, sculptures from 3,000 to 12,000 euros.

The field study that Antoine was able to carry out gave him a glimpse of a customer profile.

In fact there are two main types of clients: those who live the sea and love art and those who live art and love the sea… Obviously, this is not restrictive but corresponds to the foundation of the gallery. Of course, there are individuals, but also business managers who can acquire works for their company on a tax-exempt basis or even as a rental with an option to purchase within a framework provided for by law.

The inauguration of the gallery is planned Thursday January 30an event which will mark the launch of this place celebrating the sea and its artistic inspirations through various works.

By our correspondent André Morelle

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