Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

On 13 September 1997, Maurice Jardot offered the city of Belfort his private collection of 112 works (paintings, sculptures, watercolours, gouaches, engravings), reflecting his artistic affinities for cubism and surrealism. This donation, located in the former home of the Belgian poet Léon Deubel (acquired by the city in 1929), aims to create an intimate place, unlike the traditional museums criticized by Jardot and Kahnweiler. The aim is to preserve the direct link between the works and the public, in the spirit of Galerie Louise Leiris, a major reference for both men.

The Donation Maurice Jardot opened its doors in 1999, after a renovation entrusted to architects Robert Rebutato and Pernette Perriand, students of Le Corbusier. Their intervention is inspired by the atmosphere of the Parisian gallery, creating a protective setting for the works of iconic artists of the first half of the twentieth century. The place is distinguished by its unique atmosphere, mixing architectural heritage (the house of Deubel) and modernity, while avoiding the dispersion of collections in a larger ensemble.

Labeled Musée de France, the site showcases pieces from the gallery led by Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler, a key actor in modern art. The collection, conceived as an "intimate portrait" of Jardot, illustrates its aesthetic research and artistic fidelities. The address, at 8 rue de Mulhouse in Belfort, highlights its territorial anchor in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, while attracting art lovers through its singular approach, between local history and national cultural influence.

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