Pierre Nahon's Memoir Chronicles Art Dealing and War

Pierre Nahon, the French gallerist who championed contemporary art for decades, has published a memoir titled "Mais peut-on vivre sans illusions" with La Différence. The book traces his life from birth to the present, covering his modest social background, his father's Algerian origins, and his family's move to France when he was six months old. Nahon recounts his adolescence with friends Jean-Jacques Lebel and Patrick Waldberg, his early encounter with André Breton, and his business ventures in communication and real estate that funded his art investments. He also details his traumatic military service in Algeria during the war from 1958 to 1960. The memoir includes his meeting with Marianne, who became his wife, and their children. The second part of the book has stirred controversy: Nahon, who promoted and financially benefited from contemporary art, now denounces it, explaining his rejection with characteristic frankness that some may view as cynicism. The text is introduced by Jacques Henric.