29/09/2026, 10:00

“Your ‘3 Questions for Adrien DENOYELLE” Founder of Lux-Auction – Auction House

1) How can one assess the value of a work of art beyond its price ?
The true value of a work of art lies not only in its materials or technique, but in its pedigree: its history, its successive owners and the events it has witnessed. Provenance breathes life into the object, transforming a simple aesthetic piece into a priceless witness to history. Two physically identical objects can therefore have valuations that bear no relation to one another:
A Louis XV chest of drawers stamped by a master cabinetmaker such as Cressent is worth a few tens of thousands of euros. If that same chest of drawers comes directly from Madame de Pompadour’s bedroom at Versailles, traceable through the records of the Garde-Meuble de la Couronne, its value can easily be multiplied by 100 at auction.

2) Which work of art or object has made the greatest impression on you during your career ?
The object that has stirred the most emotion in my hands is undeniably an anthropoid sarcophagus dating from the 23rd Dynasty (945–715 BC), which we presented and sold in 2019. Having the privilege of examining and contemplating such a relic of history in its raw state, free from display cases and the filter of a museum, is one of the most moving memories of my career. Furthermore, I recently learnt that it will be exhibited in Barcelona as part of a collection comprising a large part of its own family’s heritage.  She has joined her loved ones posthumously. 

3) The art market is changing rapidly: what trends are you observing today ?
The art market is undergoing a fascinating transformation: whilst connoisseurs still seek out niche safe-haven investments, a younger generation is now making its mark at auctions. Although drawn to recognised names, this less discerning clientele is primarily seeking pieces imbued with history to breathe life into their homes. This quest for authenticity is thus supplanting the trend for sterile spaces, which is now completely outdated.