In art, the artist is the determining factor; in art history, it is the collector. It is only the collector and not the amateur that will decide if an artist will or will not enter history: there are no unknown geniuses, and one's talent will always emerge and be recognised. The collector can be public or private, religious or not, a sponsor or an authority but no matter what, he is always at the centre of the arts. Since 1766, Christie's has always created or encouraged this, and many of the most exquisite pieces are owned in private collections.

Christie's is proud to present this collection of paintings. Our choices were made without any compromise: only great masters and great masterpieces. Techniques are as varied as gouache and ink on silk, oil on canvas or lacquers, in any place, any subject and from impeccable provenance.

Conquest, dream, oblivion: the tryptic from a common destiny.

The artist's search is for the absolute, an absolute set in time, but a universal absolute by their artistic stories written - then - in the West and especially Paris.