The Academy of Fantastic Arts, near our lodges, presents an exhibition devoted to Anne-Sophie Marchoux, the countess of de Caen (1809-1870) who created a museum… that she might by no means see.
The countess of Caen was an essential supporter of the Académie des beaux-arts, and upon her demise in 1870, she bequeathed to it not solely her appreciable fortune, but additionally one in every of Paris’ most lovely lined passages that she had inherited – Galerie Vivienne (that you may nonetheless go and see to at the present time).
The cash generated by the ‘galerie’ was for use to financially help winners of the Prix de Rome, awarded for arts reminiscent of portray, sculpture and structure. In change for this patronage, the artists in query had been inspired to reward a instance of their work to the countess’ ‘museum’ housed in a wing of the Academy. This custom continued for almost a century earlier than stopping in 1968.
All of which explains how the Museum of the Prix de Rome (generally referred to as the Caen Museum) got here to be, and why it was relatively ‘secret’. Amusingly, the exhibition in regards to the museum is being held within the very rooms it used to fill.
The exhibition explores the lifetime of Anne-Sophie Marchoux (the countess of Caen), presenting round fifty works from artists having benefited from her posthumous generosity.
There are three important sections – nudes, portraits and architectural drawings – all of the works on present have been restored or lent, and entrance is free!
A listing (224 pages, round 35€) accompanies the exhibition. Together with the fruit of brand name new analysis, it covers the lifetime of the countess, her museum and its collections.
Yow will discover it right here at your native Amazon.
The exhibition Le musée secret de la comtesse de Caen is on the Academy of Fantastic Arts (right here) till thirtieth November 2025
Open day by day besides Mondays from 11am-6pm
Free!
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