The Custodia Foundation near our hotels is spoiling us once again with not one but two new exhibitions, one showcasing 19th century French drawings including examples by Ingres, Delacroix, Gustave Doré, Rosa Bonheur…, and another entitled ‘Drawn To The Everyday’, with paintings by Léon Bonvin (1834–1866).

Boosted by their collection of 1,800 images formerly belonging to Frits Lugt (who died in 1970), the Custodia Foundation often has interesting exhibitions of drawings on offer.

Their latest offers more then 150 images by artists both well- and little-known, presented chronologically and showing the importance of nature as inspiration for early 19th century works, with numerous countryside scenes, many of France or Italy.

A French-language catalogue has been been published for the exhibition (450 pages, 145 illustrations, 40€ here at amazon.fr).

The second exhibition on offer explores the paintings of French artist Léon Bonvin, the first comprehensive presentation of his work outside the USA for 40 years.

You’ll see his early works executed in black chalk, followed by the arrival of ink and watercolours from 1858 onwards, and while the artist’s technique evolved slowly, you’ll see that he remained faithful to his favourite themes – daily life in the country, still lifes and landscapes.

Thanks to generous loans from the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, you’ll have a comprehensive overview of the painter’s work and will learn more about his all-too-short life – Bonvin committed suicide at the age of 31.

The Custodia Foundation has also published a catalogue raisonné of his paintings, available in either French or English (304 pages, 170 illustrations, 35€ here in French and here in English, at amazon.fr).

---

The exhibitions 19th century French drawings and Léon Bonvin are at the Custodia Foundation (here) until 8th January 2023

Open every day except Mondays from midday – 6pm

Admission: 10€ / 7€ (+60 ans, unemployed) / free (students, press…)

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

What3Words ///drift.amber.gravest

Voir cette publication sur Instagram

Une publication partagée par Fondation Custodia (@fondationcustodia)