François Tajan
Born27 June 1962
Évreux, France
Died26 February 2020(2020-02-26) (aged 57)
Paris, France
NationalityFrench
OccupationAuctioneer

François Tajan (27 June 1962 – 26 February 2020) was a French auctioneer.[1]

Biography

The son of auctioneer Jacques Tajan, François obtained degrees in law and art history. He then earned his diploma as an auctioneer in 1997.[2] After a stint in cinema, Tajan joined his father in the world of auctions.[3] He was an associate auctioneer in 1998, and became President of Tajan in 2001. In 2005, he left Tajan and joined Artcurial Briest Le Fur Poulain Tajan auction house,[4] which became Artcurial in 2015 with Tajan as co-president. On 1 November 2015, Tajan became deputy president.[5]

Tajan set numerous sales records during his tenure as an auctioneer. On 8 February 2009, he managed to collect €222,000 for the nose of the SS France.[6] He secured €311,594, 25 times the original amount, for the bar of the Hôtel de Crillon, which was designed by César Baldaccini.[7] In June 2014, he organized a sale of Tintin collectibles, which totaled 5.3 million euros. On 30 April 2016, Tajan sold a copy of King Ottokar's Sceptre owned by Renaud for 1.046 million euros.[8] On 22 November 2016, he sold a section of the Eiffel Tower staircase for 523,800 euros, even though its worth was estimated at a mere 30,000-40,000 euros.[9] On 24 June 2017, Tajan managed to sell copies of Apostrophes, hosted by Bernard Pivot for €16,900.[10]

François Tajan died on 26 February 2020 due to food poisoning.[11]

Personal life

Tajan was a fan of rock music, having purchased several Rolling Stones albums starting at age 10.[12] He was also a collector of modern art, particularly the works of painter Pierre Scholla.[13]

He had three children. His son, Louis, was born from Tajan's first marriage, while Gabriel and Eloïse were from his second wife, Véronique.

References

  1. ↑ "François Tajan, président délégué d'Artcurial, est mort". Le Monde (in French). 27 February 2020.
  2. ↑ "François Tajan". Les Echos (in French). 10 May 2005.
  3. ↑ "À propos d'Artcurial". Artcurial (in French).
  4. ↑ "Le journal d'un fou d'art". ArtCult (in French). 1 September 2004.
  5. ↑ "Le Groupe Artcurial modifie la gouvernance de la maison de vente". L'ADN (in French). 27 October 2015.
  6. ↑ "Le "nez" du paquebot "France" adjugé pour plus de 273.000 euros". LaDepeche.fr (in French). 8 February 2009.
  7. ↑ "Le Crillon : le bar César vendu 311.594 euros". Le Figaro (in French). 19 April 2013.
  8. ↑ "Une double planche de Tintin appartenant à Renaud vendue 1,05 million d'euros". Le Figaro (in French). 30 April 2016.
  9. ↑ "Art Déco | Vente n°3087 | Lot n°17 | Artcurial". Artcurial (in French).
  10. ↑ "Une page se tourne pour les décors d'Apostrophes, vendus 16.900 euros". Le Figaro (in French). 14 June 2017.
  11. ↑ "Décès soudain du commissaire-priseur François Tajan". Le Journal des Arts (in French). 27 February 2020.
  12. ↑ "Le rock les rend tous marteau". Le Figaro (in French). 24 October 2013.
  13. ↑ "Collections privées". Scholla (in French).
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