Why Ars Essentia?

The name of the gallery comes from the Latin ars essentiae, “the essence of art.” This choice reflects the guiding principle of the gallery: presenting works that express a singular vision, a conscious artistic gesture, and impeccable formal quality, whatever the technique employed.

A work of art must be able to touch the viewer beyond words. It should move, surprise, unsettle, or elevate. Before any explanation, it is the aesthetic spark that matters—the sudden emotion that inspires the desire to understand the artist’s intention.

The Role of the Gallerist

But the first emotion is not enough. The gallerist, a trained expert from the École du Louvre, is there to guide the visitor, illuminate the work, and help them see and feel more deeply. Every artist exhibited at Ars Essentia has been personally met, every studio visited, every exchange nurtured. The works presented are the result of a rigorous selection, intended to reveal the essence of their art.

A Gallery for Discovery and Promotion

Ars Essentia is a gallery dedicated to discovering and promoting contemporary artists—emerging creators as well as established talents. All share solid training from renowned art schools and a commitment to excellence. The gallery is devoted to showcasing these artists, valuing their work, and offering collectors and art lovers an authentic experience.

Sculpture as a Territory of Expression

The gallery asserts its identity through a demanding selection of contemporary sculptures, with recognized expertise in animal sculpture. We present bronze, metal, and resin works that capture the strength, grace, and energy of the living world. Lions, birds, felines, or wild animals—each piece reveals movement, presence, and emotion.

As a gallery specializing in sculpture, we guide collectors and enthusiasts in discovering artists whose work combines technical mastery, modernity, and sensitivity. A space where material comes to life and sculpture becomes a fully immersive experience.

Abstract Paintings from the 1950s to the 1980s

Ars Essentia highlights a selection of abstract paintings from the 1950s to the 1980s, a decisive period during which modern art asserted itself with renewed intensity. These works reflect the search for freedom and radicality that defined the post‑war era, between gestural lyricism and geometric rigor.

By exhibiting these abstract canvases from the 50s to the 80s, Ars Essentia offers art lovers and collectors an immersion into a time when art was reinventing itself, and when each work sought to express the very essence of creation.

A Personal Journey in the Service of Art

This project is also a personal story. After earning a Graduate Diploma from the École du Louvre and a master’s degree in art history from the Sorbonne, I spent nearly 25 years in senior positions in the press and publishing industries. But the call of the arts was constant. Creating the Ars Essentia gallery became an obvious choice—a return to what truly matters.

A Gallery in the Heart of Beaune

I chose to establish the gallery in Beaune, the capital of Burgundy wines, on Place Ziem, facing the Saint‑Étienne chapel. In this light‑filled space with large windows, the works of the artists represented by Ars Essentia find an ideal setting.

Ars Essentia welcomes art lovers, collectors, and visitors passing through Beaune. Come discover contemporary paintings and animal sculptures, let yourself be guided by an expert trained at the École du Louvre, and enjoy personalized advice to enrich your eye or your collection.

Ars Essentia — the essence of art in Burgundy.

Cedric Le Borgne