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George Viau

1855 – 1939

French art collector and dentist

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About George Viau

Lived 1855 – 1939 (aged 84). George Viau was a French art collector, dentist and patron of the arts, known for Private collection.

George Viau (28 March 1855 – 18 December 1939) was a French dentist and art collector. His collection, which was built up and sold off more than once, included work by many impressionist painters and the artists who influenced them. Viau's dental practice was at number 47 Boulevard Haussmann, where one of his patients was Claude Monet.

The collection sold in 1907 included works by, among others, Boudin, Carrière, Cassatt, Cézanne, Dagnan-Bouveret, Daumier, Degas, Delacroix, Gauguin, Guillaumin, Jongkind, Lebourg, Lépine, Manet, Monet, Morisot, Pissarro, Renoir, Sisley, and Vignon.

A collection of more than 200 paintings owned by Viau went to Wilhelm Hansen, whose collection formed the basis of the Ordrupgaard museum. After Viau's death, the Hôtel Drouot auctioned paintings from his estate. One Cézanne in that collection sold for over 5 million francs, and the auction brought in 53 million francs in all.

A portrait of Viau painted by Édouard Vuillard in 1914 is held at the Musée d'Orsay.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Known for
Private collection
Awards
Knight of the Legion of Honour
Also known as
Georges Viau

People in George Viau's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped George Viau's

Frequently asked questions

Who was George Viau?

French art collector and dentist (1855-1939)

When was George Viau born?

George Viau was born on 28 March 1855 in Nancy.

When did George Viau die?

George Viau died on 18 December 1939 in Paris.

What was George Viau's occupation?

George Viau was an art collector, dentist and patron of the arts.

What was George Viau known for?

George Viau was known for Private collection.

What nationality was George Viau?

George Viau was French.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: George Viau

· Wikidata: Q3103601

· DBpedia: George Viau

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). George Viau. https://biography.guide/george-viau/

MLA: "George Viau." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/george-viau/.

Chicago: "George Viau." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/george-viau/.

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