French sculptor Daniel Hourdé’s work exists between dream and disquiet, where expressive human-scale figures reveal a deep understanding of both anatomy and technique. Entirely devoted to his artistic practice, Hourdé now joins Sotheby’s Paris in offering collectors and art lovers a rare opportunity to encounter the works he has carefully assembled over decades.
The collection, gathered by Daniel Hourdé, comes to auction on 25 February 2026 and is preceded by a public exhibition from 19 to 24 February. During this time, visitors will be welcomed into an environment inspired by the artist’s own studio, recreated within Sotheby’s Paris to evoke the atmosphere in which these works have come to life. A collector, dealer and respected specialist in early African and Oceanic art for more than forty years, Hourdé has devoted his life to his works and now presents this collection to those who share his vision.
A Selection of Major Works
The auction brings together significant works spanning African, Oceanic and Pre-Columbian art, alongside archaeological objects, Asian and religious art, and antique furniture. Each piece reflects a personal dialogue with the sacred and the symbolic, unveiling a oneiric dimension that explores humanity’s enduring relationship with the world.
Among the highlights is an exceptional Egyptian mummy mask dating from the 21st and 22nd Dynasties, accompanied by notable works from New Ireland, several Kota reliquary figures from Gabon, a Māori prow figure and a rare Kwakiutl mask from British Columbia. Hourdé’s own sculptural practice also guides the selection; the highest auction result achieved for his work since 2019 was 74,500 EUR for Arbre, sold in 2023.
The Masterful Sculptor
At the age of twenty, Daniel Hourdé studied painting and drawing at the École des Beaux-Arts in Grenoble and Paris. Since the 1980s, he has focused primarily on sculpture, reinterpreting classical form through a personal visual language shaped by mythology and contemporary culture. Working in steel, bronze and gold, he approaches each material as a means of giving presence and narrative weight to his figures. Alongside sculpture, drawing and installation remain central to his practice, where the human body appears both tragic and playful.
His work demonstrates an almost surgical understanding of anatomy. Monumental, athletic figures are disrupted by unexpected gestures and references to popular culture, creating a tension between tradition and experimentation. Recurring themes include skeletons, the Cross and crown of thorns, the Fall and Redemption, and medieval imagery inspired by the dances of death. Suspended in moments of movement, his characters invite reflection on mortality, vanity and the fragile balance between power and vulnerability.
Auction Highlights
An Egyptian Polychrome Wood Mummy Mask
21st/22nd Dynasty, 1075–716 B.C.
125,000 – 175,000 EUR
Carved from fine-grained hardwood and originating from the lid of an inner coffin, this impressive mummy mask features an oval face with inlaid glass eyes, outlined lips and long arched eyebrows. The blue and white glass inlay, with recessed pupils painted in black, gives the mask a striking presence, positioning it as one of the most anticipated works in the sale.
New Ireland, Bismarck Archipelago, Papua New Guinea
80,000 – 120,000 EUR
Unlike many Malagan figures that depict powerful male figures, this sculpture represents a kneeling woman. Created between 1880 and 1890, it exemplifies the refined carving and pigments characteristic of New Ireland works of this period. Pronounced ribs lend the body a taut quality, while elongated arms and a wide loincloth create a deliberate symmetry. The conical coiffure, traditionally worn as protection from rain, adds a distinctive cultural detail.
Forms of this type occasionally appear in male figures, including examples once associated with Maurice de Vlaminck and another held at the Field Museum in Chicago. Painted geometric motifs animate the entire surface, reinforcing the sculpture’s ritual intensity.
Le Roi las
45,000 – 50,000 EUR
Executed in bronze and painted steel, Le Roi las draws on biblical narrative while allowing space for personal interpretation. The sculpture explores both ascent and descent, evoking themes of Paradise and Hell. The crowned figure is rendered with remarkable anatomical precision; ribs and musculature are sharply defined, reflecting Hourdé’s mastery of the human form. Yet beneath this physical strength lies tension. The tilted head and strained posture suggest the burden of power and the fragility of authority, creating a work that is at once dramatic and introspective.
Final Thought
Daniel Hourdé lives and works in Paris, and his sculptures have been exhibited internationally, including at the Pont des Arts at the French National Assembly and at the Museo de la Cancillería in Mexico City. Drawing from classical mythology, contemporary social themes and diverse cultural influences, his practice centres on the expressive potential of the human body.
Today, Hourdé occupies a distinctive place within contemporary sculpture. His works are recognised not only for technical precision but for the emotional resonance they convey. Balancing strength with symbolism, his figures carry both physical weight and psychological depth, offering collectors a compelling vision shaped by decades of artistic exploration.
