Galerie De Medicis: Nearly 30 Years of Contemporary Art in the Heart of Place des Vosges
Since 1998, Galerie De Medicis has built its history in the heart of one of Paris’s most iconic locations: Place des Vosges. Founded by Richard EL MIR, today supported by his team, the gallery has developed a vision of contemporary art shaped by the discovery of artists, long-term relationships with them, and a selection bringing together sculpture, painting and urban art.
Over the years, Galerie De Medicis has established a distinctive identity, driven by artists with instantly recognisable visual languages and by a constant commitment to supporting both experienced collectors and those discovering contemporary art for the first time.
A contemporary art gallery in Paris since 1998
The history of Galerie De Medicis began in 1998 under the direction of its founder, Richard EL MIR. From the outset, the gallery developed a selection of contemporary artists based on one essential principle: presenting works capable of creating an immediate connection with the viewer while remaining grounded in a strong artistic approach.
Over the years, several artists have contributed to shaping the gallery’s identity. Fabien Novarino, Pierre Farel, Jean-Louis Toutain and Jean-Paul Donadini are among the figures who have marked different periods in its history.
Gradually, the programme opened up to new forms of contemporary creation and to the international urban art scene, with artists such as Martin Whatson, Vhils, Nuno Viegas, PichiAvo and Golsa Golchini.
This diversity has progressively shaped the perspective of Galerie De Medicis. Established artists and emerging names come together through a range of practices, with particular attention given to contemporary sculpture, painting and urban art.
Place des Vosges: Parisian heritage and contemporary creation
Located at 18 Place des Vosges, in Paris’s 4th arrondissement, Galerie De Medicis operates in an environment where historical heritage and contemporary creation coexist every day.
Architecture, galleries and artists’ studios have long made this neighbourhood an important destination for artistic discovery. Within this historic setting, the sculptures, paintings and contemporary works presented by the gallery create a distinctive dialogue between architectural heritage and present-day creation.
This location is an integral part of the identity of Galerie De Medicis: a Parisian gallery with an international outlook, yet deeply connected to Place des Vosges and its artistic history.
Contemporary sculpture at the heart of the gallery’s identity
Sculpture today occupies a central place within the selection of Galerie De Medicis.
Among the gallery’s emblematic artists is Bruno Catalano, internationally recognised for his Les Voyageurs series. The gallery has maintained a privileged relationship with the sculptor for more than twenty years and regularly presents in Paris a selection of his celebrated fragmented bronze figures.
Alongside him, Dominique Rayou develops a very different sculptural universe, where organic forms and the curves of the human body meet with humour and sensuality.
The wall sculptures of David Gerstein, the compositions of Jesús Curia, and the works of other international artists reflect the diversity of sculptural approaches represented by the gallery.
This strong focus on sculpture constantly interacts with painting and urban art, allowing different generations and different forms of contemporary artistic expression to coexist within the same space.
From historic artists to new contemporary expressions
Nearly three decades of activity have allowed Galerie De Medicis to build a programme in constant evolution.
From the artistic worlds of Fabien Novarino, Pierre Farel, Jean-Louis Toutain and Jean-Paul Donadini to the sculptures of Bruno Catalano and Dominique Rayou, the gallery has supported artists with very different visual languages while consistently favouring works with a strong and immediately recognisable identity.
Over time, this selection has also opened further towards urban art and new forms of contemporary creation. Martin Whatson, Vhils, Nuno Viegas, PichiAvo and Golsa Golchini reflect this evolution, alongside artists such as Banksy, JonOne and Mr. Brainwash.
This openness allows the gallery to create a dialogue between highly distinctive universes: the fragmented figures of Bruno Catalano, the minimalist black-and-white compositions of André Nadal, the contemporary portraits of Silvio Porzionato, the vivid colours of David Gerstein, and visual languages rooted in urban culture. Rather than defending a single aesthetic, Galerie De Medicis favours the individuality of artistic languages and the ability of a work to create a strong and lasting presence.
Relationships built over time
The history of Galerie De Medicis is also the history of the relationships it has built with artists.
Following an artist over several years makes it possible to understand the evolution of their work, the different periods of their practice and the way certain pieces gradually become emblematic of their artistic journey. This proximity is now an essential part of the work carried out by Richard EL MIR and his team. It allows the gallery to present works with an in-depth understanding of their context while also sharing with collectors the story and artistic approach behind each piece.
The relationship developed over more than twenty years with Bruno Catalano is one of the clearest examples of this long-term commitment.
Supporting collectors beyond the acquisition
Acquiring a work of art often involves much more than simply choosing an image or an object.
Understanding the artist’s approach, the technique used, the edition of a sculpture, its authenticity, provenance, or the place it occupies within the artist’s career all contribute to the collecting experience.
The Galerie De Medicis team therefore support collectors throughout the discovery and selection process, whether it is a first acquisition or the search for a specific work. This relationship also extends beyond Paris, with a French and international clientele and personalised support throughout the different stages of acquisition and international delivery.
Discover Galerie De Medicis in Paris
Nearly thirty years after the beginning of its story, Galerie De Medicis continues its work of discovering and presenting contemporary art in the heart of Place des Vosges. Its selection evolves with its artists, new works and new encounters, while maintaining the principles that have shaped its identity since 1998: close attention to the individuality of each work, lasting relationships with artists and personalised support for collectors.
Galerie De Medicis welcomes visitors and collectors at 18 Place des Vosges, 75004 Paris, where Richard EL MIR and his team present a regularly renewed selection of sculptures, paintings and contemporary artworks.
