It was an emotional evening at the Grand Palais in Paris last night.

The curtain on the last act of the Yves Saint Laurent legend rose with the gigantic auction of the designer's art and furniture collection. The whole exquisite lot will take three days to auction off by Christie's and YSL's partner of 50 years, Pierre Berge.

The well heeled audience beheld a spectacular parade before the auctioneer's block of modern twentieth century masterpieces - the most eagerly awaited event - which only proves that Saint Laurent not only created beauty but lived with it!

His favourite Matisse "Les coucous tapis bleu et rose", which obviously appealed to his love of pattern and colour, broke a world record and went for 35,905,000 Euros. His Mondrians, which inspired his famous dresses of the same name also brought in record prices.

Just shows you that there is still money out there for a masterpiece or two, especially when it has the aura of the YSL cachet!

At the end of the auction, an emotional Pierre Berge declared that the sale the first night had brought in a record of 206 million Euros, all of which will go to his foundation's humanitarian works.

Berge said he was happy with the sale and added that "while I cannot speak on behalf of the dead, I am sure Yves would be happy to know that this collection of art which we have collected for the past fifty years has so captivated the art world and the general public as well."

Grand Palais:

Auction in process:

Pierre Berge and the auctioneer:

And the art!!!:

Les Couscous Tapis Bleu et Rose by Matisse

Duchamp

Ensor

YSL's living room recreated

Matisse

Matisse

Mondrian

Mondrian

Picasso

Auction Attendees:

Photographed by ALICE
Posted by MADELEINE