Alain Blondel, Art Dealer and Rediscoverer, Dies at 87
Alain Blondel, a prominent French art dealer known for his role in reviving interest in 20th-century decorative arts, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco, has died in 2026 at the age of 87. Blondel was among the first to champion the work of architect Hector Guimard and later became a leading expert on the painter Tamara de Lempicka. He founded the Galerie des Quatre-Vents and subsequently the Galerie du Luxembourg, where he organized pioneering exhibitions of then-forgotten artists such as François-Rupert Carabin and Georges Lepape. Operating first near the Centre Pompidou and later in the Marais district of Paris, Blondel continued his commitment to a free and demanding figurative art, supporting both past masters and contemporary artists. Described as a curious researcher, he leaves behind the image of an erudite dealer dedicated to the transmission and rediscovery of artworks. His death was reported by L'ŒIL magazine in its September 2026 issue.
Key facts
- Alain Blondel died in 2026 at age 87.
- He was an art dealer who contributed to renewing interest in 20th-century decorative arts, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco.
- He was among the first to defend Hector Guimard's work.
- He became a leading expert on Tamara de Lempicka.
- He founded the Galerie des Quatre-Vents and later the Galerie du Luxembourg.
- He organized exhibitions of forgotten artists like François-Rupert Carabin and Georges Lepape.
- His galleries were located near the Centre Pompidou and later in the Marais.
- He supported both past masters and contemporary artists in a free and demanding figurative style.
Entities
Artists
- Alain Blondel
- Hector Guimard
- Tamara de Lempicka
- François-Rupert Carabin
- Georges Lepape
Institutions
- Galerie des Quatre-Vents
- Galerie du Luxembourg
- Centre Pompidou
- L'ŒIL
Locations
- Paris
- France