Matthieu Lamoure

What was your path at IESA arts&culture?

After my baccalauréat in literature with a focus on visual arts and art history, I had chosen to take a DUT in Business/Marketing, which would always let me get by in case the art sector did not allow me to support myself. With that degree in hand and missing art enormously, I found IESA arts&culture and its Bac+3 Art Market program, which combined market training, with its commercial dimension, and expertise. From the first day, I remember mentioning my passion for collector cars. The director of IESA then pushed me to develop this sector within the school by organizing a conference on the subject. Some 10 speakers debated the longevity of vintage cars on our roads and 500 people attended; a success! That conference gave me a foot in the door, allowing me to meet the market players with whom I am still in close contact today. It was on that occasion that I met Hervé Poulain, who would offer me my first job at his auction house three years later.

Why did you choose our art market school?

IESA seemed to me the right choice because I have a temperament inclined to put my knowledge to work through action! IESA offers a lot and works well if you like to move around and take initiative. In that respect, the large number and diversity of internships convinced me. I believe that at the time I was among those who had done the most internships; trying a bit of everything to better guide my own choice, my specialty! That is what really attracted me to this school.

Also, the classes were very interesting, close to the market, somewhat theoretical but above all practical. I remember very well the classes on 18th-century furniture at an antiques dealer’s. He taught us to spot fake period pieces from genuine ones, and traces of restoration. He taught us the workings of Drouot by going there in person, handling the objects, touching them, observing them. We also had regular appointments at 5 a.m. at the Saint-Ouen flea market to learn to spot the rare object, fascinating!

This program allowed me to meet a great many people in the art specialties that appealed to me. Of course, Hervé Poulain is the person I met who truly allowed me to steer my professional life.

What is your job today?

After starting at the auction house of auctioneers Hervé Poulain and Rémy Le Fur and staying there for six years, internships and first job as an automobile specialist combined, I spent a short stay in Quebec, still in the same specialty of collector car auctions, before being hired by Bonhams Europe, whose headquarters were in Geneva. After two years, the Europe director left the company and the British decided to give me his position. I then moved the European office to Paris and we organized major automobile sales. I stayed there seven years in all.

Four years ago, Hervé Poulain, then under the Artcurial banner, called me back to offer me the chance to take over his automobile department. With a very enriching Anglo-Saxon experience behind me, I left Bonhams with my team and accepted the challenge. Three years later, I head Artcurial Motorcars, the leader in its specialty in continental Europe, going from 6 million euros in revenue in 2010 to 27 million euros last year. Today we organize spectacular auctions at the Rétromobile show, at Le Mans Classic, and on the Champs-Élysées, in our Garage Privé at the Hôtel Dassault.

I am lucky to have turned my passion into my career, and IESA was an excellent springboard that opened doors for me. I also seized opportunities by always following the same path.

> Read more auctioneer testimonials: Jérôme Duvillard and Delphine Bisman