Ferdinand BAC (1859-1952) Portrait of Théophile Gautier Colored pencil Signed lower right, titled at bottom "Théophile Gautier loved his family and Carlota Grisi and was loyal to them". 24 x 15.5 cm (small stains) and Leaving Constantin Guy's Colored pencil and gouache Signed lower right Titled upper right and annotated lower left "C'est bien pour s'en débarrasser que j'accepte ses gros roquaillons" ("It's to get rid of him that I accept his big shrimps"). 29 x 19 cm

Composed of several subsidiaries, the Drouot Group is a major player in the art market. Hôtel Drouot, located in the heart of Paris, has been the world's largest public auction center since 1852. 15 salerooms are available to more than 70 auction houses. The emulation generated by an annual offer of 230,000 artworks from 21 major specialities - from Antiquity to street art - attracts some 3,000 visitors every day. The Group's digital platform, Drouot.com, offers digital sales - Live auctions (live broadcasting and participation in auctions), Online-only auctions (dematerialised auctions) and Buy Now sales (sales of lots at fixed prices). Nearly 2 million items are offered annually by 600 auction houses. Auction news is reported every week in La Gazette Drouot, the leading weekly magazine for the art market and culture published by Auctionspress.