When an art show is organised in Paris you expect things to be very slick, very chic and well, very French… for want of a better word. However, a recent Paris art show has caused its organisers to be somewhat embarrassed at the conspicuous absence of the central painting.

A painting that was actually displayed on the poster promoting the art show!

Paris’ Grand Palais has been promoting their new Pop Art show by featuring the work of the Haitian painter Herve Telemaque on their posters, but due to auction house Christies, the painting was nowhere to be seen.
The 1964 painting is called ‘Escale’ and was featured on the front of the catalogue, prompting art lovers to query the whereabouts of the Pop Art classic.

Christies auction house sold the painting for 180,250 euros in December, but the buyer has still to pay for the work, meaning that even though the new owner had promised the painting to the gallery for their exhibition, until he pays Christies what he owes they have refused to let the painting leave their auction house.

A spokesman for the exhibition stated:

There was a setback with the art collector and we only found out about it a week before the opening.

We spent a lot of money to advertise this exhibition with the promotion centered on Telemaque’s painting.

With or without the famous painting, the art exhibition is sent to remain open until July 13th.