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Key figures

Origin and history

The Musée des beaux-arts de Nancy originated in the revolutionary seizures of 1793, when a departmental decree formalized its creation. Originally installed in the chapel of the Visitation, it was integrated in 1801 into the first fifteen provincial museums, benefiting from the sending of works from the Musée central du Louvre. This status enshrines its role in the dissemination of art in the regions, with collections from national confiscations.

After having occupied various places in Nancy, the museum permanently settled in 1936 in one of the pavilions of Stanislas Square, built in 1755 under the impulse of Duke Stanislas in tribute to Louis XV. This building, emblematic of the eighteenth century, is enlarged by a modern body and renovated in 1999 by architect Laurent Beaudouin, who highlights its peristyle and staircase adorned with a grid of Jean Lamour.

The museum's collections cover European artistic currents from the 15th to the 20th century, with an emphasis on Lorrain artists. It houses more than 20,000 drawings and prints, accessible to researchers, as well as a Daum collection of nearly 400 glasswares, presented in a dedicated scenography. The museum trail plays on architectural perspectives, natural light and coloured flats to guide visitors.

The museum is labeled Musée de France and is distinguished by its historical anchor: its 18th century pavilion, restored, constitutes the starting point and conclusion of the visit. The renovation of 1999 modernized its spaces while preserving its heritage, including the grid of Jean Lamour, symbol of Lorraine's know-how. Its official address, 3 Place Stanislas, reflects its integration into a UNESCO World Heritage architectural complex.

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