French Art Galleries Express pessimism Amid Rising Costs and Succession Challenges
A report commissioned in March by the Minister of Culture, Rachida dati, and published on Friday, July 25, by Martin Bethenod, confirms a stark reality for the French art scene. According to an estimate from the professional committee of art galleries, a mere 1% of artists showcased at Art Basel miami Beach, a key event influencing tastes across North and South America, hail from France. Further underscoring this trend,a Wondeur study titled “The Daily Art Daily” revealed that in 2023,only 1% of artists featured in galleries and institutions throughout the United States were French-based.
Martin Bethenod, who brings extensive public and private sector experience, including roles at the Center Pompidou, as delegate for plastic arts, and for twelve years as Director of François Pinault‘s Palazzo Grassi, advocates for a significant restructuring of the French art landscape. He suggests that a crucial first step involves asserting national presence. Historically, some influential critics have viewed the concept of a “French artist” with suspicion, associating it with identity politics, while other cultures have more readily embraced and promoted their national artists. this sentiment was echoed by art critic Paul Ardenne, who quipped years ago, “Talking about a local artist is infamous, a national artist is soporific. An artist dose not exist if he is not an international being.”
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