The Salon du Dessin Celebrates its 30th Anniversary in Paris

A Minerva owl, a symbol of knowledge and erudition, adorns the catalog and poster of this year's Salon du Dessin, which is making a full comeback at the Palais Brongniart. This work by Nicolas Robert (1614-1685) was a favorite of former Louvre president Pierre Rosenberg , who donated his collection to the future Musée du Grand Siècle de Saint-Cloud, a project supported by Patrick Devedjian, who died prematurely of Covid. The owl was not part of the donation, but the exhibition features a wide array of beautiful known or unknown drawings from the 17 th to 20 th centuries. Athena’s attribute with its large round eyes could also be Rosenberg’s, an eminent curator and disciple of Poussin. "To collect, you need at least one of three things: money, time and knowledge,” he said. “Few people have all three.” If knowledge, even erudition, characterizes a notable part of the visitors to the Salon du Dessin, curators and specialists in the lead, the event’s variety of periods, subjects and prices attracts a wider public driven by curiosity and taste. For once, it will not be held in March, a few days before TEFAF Maastricht, as collectors and curators often combine the two, but in May, with TEFAF taking place exceptionally at the end of June. "Sixteen dealers…