Number 47 Boulevard Haussmann served as the primary location for the dental practice of George Viau, a French professional who occupied a dual role in the cultural and medical landscapes of late 19th and early 20th century France. Beyond his clinical duties, he became a significant figure in the acquisition and distribution of impressionist art.
Medical Practice and Influence
Born in Nancy in 1855, Viau established his career in surgery and dentistry during a period of rapid medical advancement. The arrival of antisepsis, germ theory, and improved anaesthesia transformed the surgical field. Viau operated within the French medical framework, where his clinical contributions focused on shifts in practice that prioritised patient safety and outcome. His impact on medicine is reflected in the recognition he received as a Knight of the Legion of Honour.
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Viau curated an extensive art collection that he built and liquidated on several occasions. His interest lay primarily in impressionist painters and their predecessors. Among the artists represented in his 1907 collection were Degas, Monet, Manet, Renoir, Cézanne, Pissarro, Sisley, Gauguin, and Morisot. His connection to the art world was personal as well as professional; Claude Monet was among the patients who visited his clinic on Boulevard Haussmann.
The Legacy of the Estate
The dispersion of Viau's holdings reached significant institutions and private collections. Over 200 paintings were acquired by Wilhelm Hansen, forming the foundation of the Ordrupgaard museum. Following Viau's death in Paris in 1939 at the age of 84, his remaining estate was auctioned at the Hôtel Drouot. This event generated a total of 53 million francs, with a single Cézanne painting accounting for over 5 million francs. Édouard Vuillard immortalized the collector in a 1914 portrait, which is currently held at the Musée d'Orsay.
Fast facts
- Born: 1855, Nancy
- Died: 1939, Paris
- Profession: Dentist and surgeon
- Notable Recognition: Knight of the Legion of Honour
- Practice Address: 47 Boulevard Haussmann
- Portrait Artist: Édouard Vuillard
- Total Estate Auction Value: 53 million francs
Questions readers ask
What medical fields did George Viau work in?
He was a practitioner in dentistry and surgery.
Which artists were represented in his 1907 collection?
The collection included works by Boudin, Carrière, Cassatt, Cézanne, Dagnan-Bouveret, Daumier, Degas, Delacroix, Gauguin, Guillaumin, Jongkind, Lebourg, Lépine, Manet, Monet, Morisot, Pissarro, Renoir, Sisley, and Vignon.
Where is the portrait of George Viau currently located?
The 1914 portrait by Édouard Vuillard is held at the Musée d'Orsay.
Achievements
- Knight of the Legion of Honour
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