When Simon de Pury, the suave chairman and public face of art auction house Phillips de Pury & Company, stepped down just before Christmas, a release explained he would exit to “embark on new adventures.” (His wife, Michaela, senior director of the firm, separately announced she’d leave.) But behind-the-scenes, sources close to the couple and the auction house — which was sold to Moscow-based luxury group Mercury in 2008 — say de Pury was pushed. “Simon and Michaela sent out letters to friends and clients saying they moved on after 12 years,” says a source, “but they didn’t want to go and were very upset. Mercury gave Simon three years to meet a set target. He did not meet the numbers and was forced out. He’s trying to spin it in a positive way.” Under Mercury, the boutique auction house plans to expand in Midtown and in London’s Mayfair and will change its name to Phillips in January. A rep for the company said, “The rumor has no validity. Mr. de Pury departed on amicable terms and we wish him all the best in the future.” LVMH merged de Pury’s firm with Phillips in 2001 when the French luxury giant made a failed bid to get into the art business.