Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The centre of contemporary art of the Abbey of Auberive is a private exhibition space opened in 2006 in the west wing of a former Cistercian abbey located in Auberive, Haute-Marne. Created in 2004 by Jean-Claude Volot, it houses one of the largest private collections of expressionist art in France, including works by Paul Rebeyrolle, Jean Rustin, Lydie Arickx and Stani Nitkowski, as well as a raw and singular art fonds, from Fred Deux to Pierre Bettencourt. The aim was to expose contemporary art in a preserved historical setting, with 18th century enfilade rooms, avoiding the aseptic white spaces of modern museums.

The centre offers a "curiosity cabinet" designed by Andrée and Jean Moiziard, mixing paintings of naive landscapes and assemblages of objects under glass globes. The park and courtyard house contemporary sculptures, such as the Sanglier de Rebeyrolle. Since 2006, a four-month summer theme exhibition has been organized annually, highlighting the artists in its collection. Past exhibitions include retrospectives (Marc Petit, Maryan) or dialogues between classical and contemporary art (Courbet et la nature in 2016).

The centre also publishes catalogues and monographs, such as those dedicated to Alfred Kubin, Dado, or Stéphane Blanquet, as well as works on local artists or transversal themes (raw art, landscapes). These publications accompany the exhibitions and value the permanent funds. The Abbey remains a private historical monument, where contemporary art dialogues with a preserved architectural heritage, offering an immersive and intimate experience.

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