Description:

Musée des Beaux-Arts at the Logis Barrault, Angers

Angers’ Museum of Fine Arts is housed in the magnificent 15th century townhouse Logis Barrault in central Angers. As well as fine arts, the collection also includes a historical collection of many ancient artefacts and objets d’art. The Musée des Beaux-Arts is but a short distance from the sculptures on display at the Galerie David d’Angers.

Logis Barrault

The oldest parts of Logis Barrault, a listed building, were constructed between 1486 and 1493. In days gone by, the Logis Barrault received many famous guests including Louis XII and Anne of Brittany. Some members of the Borgia and Medici families were no strangers.

Later additions to the original building comprised the addition of two residential wings and a 17th century seminary for the training of priests. The first museum opened in 1801 after the French Revolution (the house was confiscated by the French state during these turbulent years). The early 19th century saw the Logis Barrault extended with upper floors to form the building very much as it is seen today.  

The interior of Logis Barrault is no less noteworthy than the outside. Visitors enter a 15th century vaulted room, their first impression of the present museum and the interior of the late 17th century refectory, taking up a large part of the ground floor, is a fine example of classical architecture.

Renovation and the present Musée des Beaux-Arts in Angers

Renovation works, to form the current Musée des Beaux-Arts, took 5 years and were completed in June 2004. The museum’s curator’s intention was to tie in presentation of the museum’s various collections to the diversity of architectural styles, spanning almost 500 years, which Logis Barrault displays.

The present museum has over 3,000 square meters of exhibition space divided into two principal sections. Fine Arts displays comprise over 350 paintings and sculptures dating from the 14th century to the present day whilst the section devoted to the History of Angers comprises over 550 archaeological exhibits and objets d’art from the Neolithic period to modern times. As well as the permanent exhibits, the Musée des Beaux-Arts also hosts temporary collections and displays in its 550 square metre exhibition hall. Additionally, there is a room housing prints and drawings and a large auditorium for talks, concerts and conferences. As part of the recent modernisation, interactive terminals were installed at the museum offering the visitor a virtual tour.

Angers Fine Arts Collection

The Fine Arts Collection at the Musée des Beaux-Arts is displayed in chronological order and the visitor will first come across French, Italian and Flemish Primitive Art of the 14th century. Next, there are four exhibition rooms devoted to the French Northern Schools and the French and Italian Schools of the 17th and 18th century. There is then an impressive collection of examples of 18th century art, perhaps the highlight of the Museum’s collections, with examples of works by  Antoine Watteau, François Desportes, Carle Van Loo, Jean Honoré Fragonard, François Boucher, Jean-François de Troy, Noël Hallé, Nicolas Lancret, Jean-Baptiste Pater, Jean-Baptiste Chardin, Jean-Baptiste Greuze, Hubert Robert, François-André Vincent, Jacques Louis David and Joseph-Marie Vien. Finally, the visitor can admire some of the great paintings of the first half of the 19thcentury and a collection of more modern exhibits from the 20th century and into the 21st century.

The Museum and the History of Angers

Tracing the history of Angers as capital of the ancient province of Anjou, the museum has a fine collection of ancient artifacts and local objets d’art. Over many years, archaeological discoveries have revealed a Neolithic site and traced the development of the Gallo-Roman city of Juliomagus. The social, economic and cultural life of Angers in times gone by is illustrated by many portraits, views of the city, old photographs and other material to give the visitor a perspective on how Angers has developed over the centuries.

Events

The Musée des Beaux-Arts has a varied programme of cultural events including talks on aspects of art and the museum’s collections, temporary exhibitions and guided tours for adults and children.

Opening Times:

From 3 October 2011 to 20 May 2012

Permanent Collections: Tuesday to Sunday from 10h to 12noon and from 14h to 18h

Temporary Exhibitions: From Tuesday to Sunday from 10 h to 18h

From 21 May 2012 to 16 September 2012)

Every day from 10h to 18h30

Admission:

Adults 4 €; Concessions 3 €; Under 26, free. Discount ticket covering two of Angers’ museums.

Address:

Musée des Beaux-Arts, 14 rue de Musée, Angers

Tel. : 02 41 05 38 00 (All Angers museums)

Travel Tip: There are a number of historical sites in the centre of Angers within easy walking distance of the Angers Museum of Fine Art including the Chateau of Angers housing the Tapestry of he Apocalypse, the Collegial Eglise Saint Martin, Galerie David and the Abbatiale Toussaint and the Musée Jean-Lurçat housing the collection of contemporary tapestry.

Have you visited the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Angers? Please leave any comments, suggestions or advice to fellow readers below.

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