Details

Name

Joseph Louis Isidore Montaignac

Brief Biography

1851–1924, French

Occupation

Art dealer

Description

Isidore Montaignac is part of the provenance/ownership history of Sir William Burrell's collection for the work entitled 'Roses in a Champagne Glass' by Édouard Manet.

A renowned figure and personality in the Parisian art world prior to 1914, Isidore Montaignac initially started work as a dealer in ribbons and trinkets.

His parents owned a restaurant frequented by artists and this proved to be influential in Montaignac's future career in the art world. Becoming an administrator in the prestigious dealership of Georges Petit, he quickly rose through the ranks, by establishing international links with other galleries, most especially with Knoedler in the US. This important business relationship could have proved fatal to Montaignac, as it was only by sheer chance that he missed boarding his transatlantic liner, which was the ill-fated 'Titanic'.

A close friend of Georges Petit, Montaignac was appointed as Director of Galleries George Petit, amassing an impressive private collection including works by the Barbizon School and the Impressionists, some of which were displayed at his beautiful home at 234 Boulevard St Germain.

Having been appointed a Chevalier of the Légion of Honour, he retired at the age of 66. On 3 & 4 December 1917 his collection of 233 paintings was sold at Petit's to a Scandinavian consortium.