Hortense Haudebourt-Lescot (1784-1845)

Approved 8 years ago at the Paris Council, the renovation of the fountain erected by Pierre Lescot in 1549 - one of the oldest in the capital - is finally entering the test phase. The €5 M project is scheduled to wrap up in 2024. The bas-reliefs by Jean Goujon will be replaced by copies and the central basin cleaned.

This is the only preparatory drawing for a work commissioned by the painter’s colleagues. It recalls the major artistic event of the time in France, the Salon.

Martin-Guillaume Biennais (1764-1843) promoted French imperial propaganda, notably through his "Napoléonides" series. Several previously unknown pieces will be revealed at the sale of a group of works hailing from the artist's descendants.

This 53rd sale is the final chapter—in Paris—of Aristophil's literary collections. It consists of letters and manuscripts spanning five centuries, along with a few books.

The publication of the artist’s complete correspondence sheds light on the depth of his friendships and a personality more sensitive than his reputation suggested.

So what’s new, Mr Cézanne? His first retrospective in 30 years, now open at the Tate Modern in London, does not really provide an answer.

Jean-Baptiste Isabey (1767-1855) designed Napoleon’s ceremonial coronation garments and painted the first portrait of the King of Rome. Who else could have been selected to design this table for the imperial family with a porcelain top?

An outstanding group of about 30 lots presented by the Crédit Municipal de Bordeaux will conjure up the emperor’s memory.

The controversy over altering the Louvre’s Greek and Roman Bronze Rooms erupted at the end of a building project that occupied an entire wing of the museum. La Gazette talked about the overall program with its president, Jean-Luc Martinez, and architect Michel Goutal.

Coral, the jewel of the Mediterranean, travelled the same path as the Spice Route in ancient times. Precious and coveted as far afield as Asia, it is a rare, delicate ornament of the most sumptuous objets d’art.