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Key figures

Origin and history

The original Gravelines Drawing and Print Museum was created in 1982 by the Gravelines Group, a collective of local artists. It is the only French museum entirely dedicated to the original print, an art related to printing and the artisanal work of paper. Its collections, rich in 10,000 pieces, extend from the 15th century to the contemporary era, including major works such as the Apocalypse of Albrecht Dürer or lithographs by Picasso and Wifredo Lam. The fund is enriched by municipal purchases, donations from artists and deposits from the National Fund for Contemporary Art (FNAC).

The museum occupies the Arsenal de Gravelines, a former military castle built in 1528 under Charles Quint, then restored in the 20th century. The site consists of four historical spaces: the powder magazine (1742), characteristic of military architecture with its thick walls; The pillar room (1680), built according to the plans of Vauban, which houses temporary exhibitions and a reproduction of the Gravelines relief plan (18th century); the bread oven (1693), former artillery depot; and the shop, installed in the old entrance of the soldiers. These places combine architectural heritage and artistic presentations, such as engraving tools or exposed typographical presses.

The permanent collections, entitled "Estampes ?", explore the techniques of engraving (wood, water, lithography) and their evolution since the 15th century. The flagship pieces include prints by Louise Bourgeois, Joseph Beuys, and manga by Hokusai, as well as works by New Realists like Richard Serra. The museum also organizes temporary thematic exhibitions (Le Pain du Soldier under Louis XIV, Barthélémy Toguo), etching workshops and events such as the Night of Museums. Its local anchoring is strengthened with acquisitions such as The Take of Gravelines (1644) of the Peeters brothers, illustrating the military history of the city.

The arsenal also houses a plan-relief of Gravelines (mid-eighteenth century), faithful copy of that preserved in Lille, enhanced by a sound and light device. This small model (scale 1/600e) offers a dive into urban planning and fortifications of the city in modern times. Complete with an interactive terminal, this presentation is part of a desire to enhance Gravelines' historical and artistic heritage, while raising public awareness of printmaking techniques.

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