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‘The Mick Jagger of Auctions’ Celebrated in Simon Wallon’s ‘The Hammer’: ‘He’s in the Shadows but Also in the Spotlight’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Simon Wallon’s documentary *The Hammer* portrays auctioneer and former Sotheby’s chairman Simon de Pury as an unconventional art-world celebrity, known as the “Mick Jagger of auctions”. Premiering at the Zurich Film Festival, the film explores the contrast between de Pury’s reserved personality and his flamboyant presence at the rostrum, while showing how his expertise and enthusiasm have earned the respect of artists including Jeff Koons and Marina Abramović.
The documentary examines de Pury’s career and landmark sales, including a Moscow auction he describes as a collision between communism and capitalism. Despite decades of experience, he says he suffers intense stage fright before every auction, where a single evening can determine a major institution’s annual revenue or a charity’s budget; he also stresses that auctioneers should develop their own style rather than imitate others. De Pury, who is also a photographer, artist and DJ, says the film reflects the sustaining importance of curiosity, ambition and dreaming.
In short
- Documentary spotlights Simon de Pury, the “Mick Jagger of auctions”.
- His auctions can determine major revenues or charity budgets.
- De Pury links his energy to lifelong curiosity and dreaming.
Explained simply
Art auctions bring buyers together to bid for works, with an auctioneer managing the sale and taking bids until the highest offer is reached. Major auction houses such as Sotheby’s handle valuable art and can attract collectors, institutions and wide public attention.
Simon de Pury is an auctioneer and former chairman of Sotheby’s, one of the best-known auction houses. He has also worked as a photographer, artist and DJ, and has led high-profile sales, including one in Moscow during the shift from communism towards capitalism.
Auctions can have a significant financial impact: a single sale may provide a large share of an institution’s yearly income or a charity’s funding. Auctioneers also shape how works are presented to buyers, so their knowledge and manner can influence the atmosphere and pace of a sale.
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