Online auction · Collectable photographs
Before the Lens: Cinema and Artists at Auction
On Sunday 16 August 2026, Expertisez Enchères will present a selection of 375 photographs devoted to major figures from twentieth-century cinema, entertainment, literature and art.
Studio portraits, behind-the-scenes photographs, encounters between artists and images connected with landmark films form this online-only auction on Drouot.
Twentieth-century cinema before the lens
Before becoming familiar images, the great figures of cinema were photographed in studios, on film sets and during the moments of waiting that surrounded a production. These photographs are now both records of cinema history and collectable objects in their own right.
The catalogue spans several generations. Greta Garbo, Charlie Chaplin, Marlene Dietrich and Buster Keaton appear alongside Brigitte Bardot, Alain Delon, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Jean Seberg, Anna Karina, Romy Schneider, Audrey Hepburn, Marlon Brando and Steve McQueen.
Some photographs are directly connected with particular films or their production. Others are studio publicity portraits, set photographs or more spontaneous moments captured away from the characters portrayed on screen.
A selection of photographs in the auction
Greta Garbo
A 1920s MGM glamour portrait, catalogued as a photographic print.
Estimate: €80–€120Buster Keaton
A scene featuring one of the defining figures of American silent comedy.
Estimate: €90–€130Jane Birkin
A photograph connected with the production of The Pleasure Pit (Les Chemins de Katmandou).
Estimate: €130–€180Jean Seberg
A group of three photographs showing scenes featuring the actress.
Estimate: €100–€150Jean-Paul Belmondo and Gina Lollobrigida
A photograph connected with La Mer à boire, bringing together two figures of European cinema.
Estimate: €140–€190Alain Delon
A photograph taken during the American production of a film directed by Ralph Nelson.
Estimate: €130–€180Estimates are indicative. Full descriptions, dimensions, condition information and photographs should be reviewed on the individual lot pages before bidding.
When artists become the subjects
The final section of the catalogue broadens the focus to the art world. The photographs no longer feature actors alone: they also document artists, their works, their studios and their public appearances.
Andy Warhol, Arman, Maurice Estève, Bernard Buffet, Robert Rauschenberg, Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Nicolas Schöffer and Jean-Michel Folon are among the figures represented. The catalogue also includes material connected with Amedeo Modigliani, Lucien Clergue and Raymond Depardon.
A collection where several histories meet
The selection will appeal to cinema enthusiasts as well as collectors of photographs, cultural archives and documents relating to artists. Each lot should nevertheless be assessed individually according to its photographer, date, process, inscriptions, condition and catalogue description.
How to take part in the auction
Review the catalogue
Examine the descriptions, photographs, dimensions, estimates and conditions applying to each lot.
Register with Drouot
Sign in to your Drouot account and register for the auction free of charge before it closes.
Place your bids
Bid from the individual lot page or enter your maximum amount in accordance with Drouot’s bidding system.
Every bid is binding. Bidders should therefore review the conditions of sale and take the buyer’s premium into account before confirming a bid.
Practical information
| Auction house | Expertisez Enchères |
|---|---|
| Auctioneer | Élodie Couturier |
| Auction closes | Sunday 16 August 2026 at 8 p.m. Paris time |
| Auction format | Online-only auction |
| Buyer’s premium | 30% including VAT, added to the hammer price |
| Lot collection | From 18 August 2026, by appointment, at 14 rue Chauveau-Lagarde, 75008 Paris |
| Storage | Free for 30 days, followed by a charge of €5 per day according to the auction information |
| Shipping | Transport may be arranged subject to the applicable conditions and quotation |
| Contact | contact@expertisez.com — +33 (0)1 40 17 05 05 |
Frequently asked questions
Where will the auction take place?
The auction is being conducted exclusively online through Drouot. Bids may be placed remotely until the announced closing time of 8 p.m. on 16 August 2026.
How many lots are included?
The catalogue comprises 375 lots relating to cinema, artists, writers, musicians and cultural figures of the twentieth century.
What fees are added to the hammer price?
The announced buyer’s premium for this online auction is 30% including VAT, added to the hammer price.