Incollect Magazine - Issue 8

Incollect Magazine 21 Where do you sell online? We exclusively sell through our website, www.portuondo.com, and Incollect. We believe that other platforms impose high commissions on both buyers and sellers, resulting in inflated prices for the end client. You were both academically trained in the arts — what did each of you study? During my time at the University in Paris, I pursued a major in Art History, Philosophy, and European cultural studies. From an early age, my passion for art history fueled my desire to study the subject at the university level. I had the privilege of immersing myself in the vibrant art scene of Paris, where I studied and worked for nearly 14 years. My professional journey led me to work for various auction houses in France, where I served as an assistant expert specializing in Old Master paintings. On the other hand, Diego exhibited exceptional artistic talent during his early school years. At the age of 12, he discovered and developed a profound passion for photography. By the age of 18, he earned a scholarship and secured a spot among the top 20 students in the United Kingdom. His educational journey continued at the Saint Martins School of Art in London, where he pursued studies in Art and Photography. Subsequently, he continued his career as a fashion and art photographer in Paris. How does being siblings impact your work — what are some of the advantages and disadvantages? Collaborating as brothers brings a unique dynamic to our work. With an intimate understanding of each other’s strengths and weaknesses, our professional relationship becomes more seamless. While our tastes may differ, we find value in learning from one another. There are instances when one of us may hesitate to acquire a piece, but through open discussion, we often persuade the other of the merits of the purchase. Of course, being brothers introduces its own set of challenges. The boundaries between family members can be more easily blurred than with a typical business partner. Five-drawer desk and armchair in stitched leather and brass by Jacques Adnet, France circa 1960. French designer Jacques Adnet’s career spanned from the Art Deco era into Modernism, but his most well-known creations were developed during his tenure at the legendary French luxury goods firm Hermès. His leather-clad furniture designs, with trademark immaculate stitching detail and handsome brass fittings, are timeless pieces that exude a sense of dignified, quiet luxury and the ultimate in attention to detail.