Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Rolin Museum finds its origins in the Educational Society of Arts, Science and Arts, founded in 1836 in Autun. In 1877, this company obtained the ranking of Hotel Rolin, former housing of Chancellor Nicolas Rolin, as a historical monument. Built in 1878, the building was restored to house the Society's headquarters, library and archaeological collections. The museum officially opened in 1880, merging objects from the antiques cabinet of the Collège de la Ville (created in 1811) with local gifts. In 1955, the Educational Society left the whole to the city of Autun, which also bought the Hotel La as adjacent to it to gather the scattered collections.

The museum's collections are structured around four departments: Gallo-Roman archaeology, medieval art, regional history and fine arts (XVIIth–XXth centuries). The archaeological department exhibits Roman remains, including the famous cup of Autun (I–IVth century), a diatrete vase unique in France discovered in 2020, as well as funeral steles and mosaics such as that of Bellerophon. Medieval art includes major Romanesque sculptures, such as The Tentation of Eve (XII century) attributed to Gislebert, or the Tomb of Saint Lazarus (XII century), reconstructed monumental reliquary. The fine arts present works by the Master of Moulins, Horace Vernet, or a donation of 94 contemporary pieces (Dubuffet, Miró, Léger).

The hotel Rolin, home of Nicolas Rolin (1376–1462), chancellor of Philippe le Bon, illustrates the Burgundian medieval architecture with its skylights, door windows and staircase. The northern part, classified, retains its original appearance, while the southern part (Hotel Lacomme) was remodeled until the 19th century. Since 2018, a renovation project aims to expand the museum by integrating the old circular prison (XIXth century), the courthouse and Hallencourt Hall (18th century). Closed since 2022, the museum will reopen in 2028 after work.

Among the flagship pieces, the Nativity with the portrait of Cardinal Jean Rolin (1480) of the Master of Moulins, or the Triptych of the Eucharist (1515), are alongside modern works such as the Man in the cover (1945) of Dubuffet. The museum also preserves 60 works by Maurice Denis and paintings by David Teniers or Eugene Devéria. Temporary exhibitions, like Fantastic! Figures of the monster (2019), complete the cultural offer. Labeled Museum of France, it remains a key place to understand the history of Autun, ancient Roman Augustodunum.

The Autun Cup, discovered in 2020 in a necropolis of 230 burials, is an exceptional testimony of Gallo-Roman craftsmanship. This diatrete glass vase, adorned with the inscription VIVAS FELICITER ("Live in bliss"), contained oils, plants and grey amber, revealing aristocratic funeral practices. The analyses confirmed its uniqueness in France. At the same time, medieval collections highlight Burgundy's religious heritage, with pieces such as the Virgin of Autun (XV century) or sculptures of saints in polychrome limestone.

The current renovation project, launched in 2018, plans to link the Rolin Hotel with three other historic buildings: the circular prison (classified as a historic monument), the former courthouse and Hallencourt Hall. This expansion will enhance the presentation of the 20 current rooms and integrate spaces dedicated to temporary exhibitions. The closure in 2022 marks a key step before the reopening planned in 2028, with the objective of modernizing museum design while preserving the heritage framework.

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