A century of service.

Humble Beginnings

Our story begins in the 1920s when J. Norman DuMouchelle, a descendant of French-Canadian farmers, moved to Detroit after serving in World War I. There, he studied under renowned fine art dealer Emil Dittrich on Washington Boulevard.

In 1927, J. Norman opened “The Art Salon” in a historic Jefferson Avenue home, conducting weekly fine art auctions. As his auctions grew, he relocated to another historic site on Woodward Avenue. But it wasn’t long before his success required an auxiliary space in the Albert Kahn-designed building at 409 East Jefferson.

By 1934, The Art Salon Auction Galleries had become a Detroit fixture. J. Norman and his wife Charlotte raised five children – Lawrence, Norman, Rosemary, Joan, and Ernest. The siblings spent their early years working in the gallery, gaining first-hand expertise about art and antiques.

1949 - J. Norman DuMouchelle Inspecting Giuseppe Mazzola (Italian, 1748-1838)'s Holy Family (Adoration), Circa 1829, Oil on Panel, 37" x 29"
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Circa 1934 - The Art Salon Auction Galleries

Legacies, Big and Small

For decades, our family has handled estates for Detroit luminaries like the Fishers, Whitneys, Seyburns, Youngs, and Dodge Wilsons. But our proudest service is advising everyday families on preserving their legacies. As Lawrence DuMouchelle, eldest son, and past president of the business said, prior to his passing in 2019, that the family always felt it was an honor and privilege to be entrusted to handle any family’s estate.

Today, we’ve grown into one of the world’s largest family-owned auction houses. We offer comprehensive fine art and antique auctions to a global audience. By adapting with the markets while staying true to our roots, we’ve thrived for nearly a century.

Our success stems from serving local customers with the same care we give international clients. We continue to offer items for all tastes and budgets. Behind each piece lies a unique story that makes art collecting so rewarding.

Your Trusted Art Advisor

As your trusted art advisor, we provide appraisals, collection management, buying, selling, and everything in between. We look forward to welcoming seasoned collectors, interior designers, institutions, and newcomers alike into the DuMouchelles experience. Our passion is sharing our expertise to guide you on your art collecting journey.

 

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Circa 1970's - DuMouchelle Art Galleries

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