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Origin and history

The Adam's House is an iconic building of Nancy, built in the early eighteenth century in a classic style. It owes its fame to the dynasty of the Morrain and then French sculptors Adam, who made it their residence. The richly decorated façade symbolizes their artistic mastery and social success. Ranked a historic monument in 1946, it remains an exceptional testimony of the Baroque art of Lorraine.

Acquired on 28 May 1712 by Jacob Sigisbert Adam and his wife Sébastienne Le Léal for 11,700 francs (plus 600 francs of wine), the house was located in a shopping street. As early as 1712, the ground floor was rented to a grocer, while the couple moved there only around 1715. Jacob Sigisbert's workshop, although mentioned, left no trace of its precise location. In 1718 he decorated the facade of a carved ensemble, perhaps with the help of his sons, thus marking his social and professional status.

The decoration of the facade, studied at the exhibition "The Adams. Inheritance sculpture" (2021-2022), is considered a major work by Jacob Sigisbert Adam. It unfolds on three floors with allegories of the Four parts of the world, seasons, and ancient gods like Mars, Venus or Apollo. These sculptures, combining putti, mascarons and medallions, illustrate the arts (painting, music, architecture) and mythology, reflecting erudition and the cultural network of Adams.

The façade and its roof are classified as historical monuments by order of 22 July 1946. The building, located at 57 rue des Dominicans in the new town of Nancy, today embodies the artistic heritage of Lorraine. His iconography allowed us to reassess the corpus attributed to Jacob Sigisbert Adam, confirming his central role in 18th-century sculpture in France.

The available sources, including Wikipedia and the Merimée base, underline its architectural and historical importance. Although the interior is not accessible to the public, the facade remains a major point of interest for lovers of classical art and Lorrain history. Its state of conservation and location make it a lasting symbol of Nancy's artistic golden age.

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