Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Musée de la Chartreuse de Douai originated in the French Revolution, when the works seized in the churches and monasteries of the region were inventoried by the painter Charles-André Caullet. These pieces, stored in the church of the Dominicans, formed the museum's first fonds in 1792. In 1802, a municipal museum was created on Fortier Street, shared with the library, in a former Jesuit college. His collections enriched throughout the 19th century thanks to major donations, such as that of sculptor Théophile Bra in 1852 or the legacy of 176 Flemish and Dutch paintings by Dr Escallier in 1857.

World wars deeply marked its history: in 1918, the retired German army looted much of the collections, and in 1944, a bombardment destroyed the buildings housing the sections of ethnography and natural history, as well as more than 30,000 pieces. After 1945, the surviving works were transferred to the old convent of the Chartreux, acquired by the city in 1951. The museum reopened in 1958 under its present name, incorporating 17th and 18th century buildings, including a classical chapel and a late Gothic refectory.

The architectural complex, classified as a historical monument in 1930, combines a Renaissance hotel (1559-1608) with the conventual extensions of the Chartreux, such as the capitular hall (1663) or the Jesuit chapel (1700-1722). Today, the museum presents a chronological journey of European art, from primitive Spanish and Flemish to French Impressionists, 19th century sculptures and medieval art objects. Some works, stolen during the wars, have recently been returned, such as A fishing girl from Jules Breton in 2011.

The museum's attendance has varied over the years, with a peak of over 61,000 visitors in 2009. The site also preserves two paintings classified as MNR (National Museum Recovery), testimonies of the spoliations during the Second World War. Since its restoration, the Chartreux church has been home to collections of sculptures and goldsmiths, while the small cloister houses a contemporary installation by Daniel Buren.

The museum owes its name to the Order of the Chartreux, which occupied the places of 1662 to the Revolution. Their architectural heritage, as the great cloister now disappeared or monastic cells, recalls the religious history of the site. The convent was transformed into a barracks during the Revolution and damaged in 1944.It was saved by its municipal takeover, allowing the preservation of this unique heritage in the Hauts-de-France.

The collections also reflect local history, with sections dedicated to archaeology, ethnography and customs crafts, such as silverware. Temporary exhibitions, organized in the capital hall, complement the cultural offer. The museum remains a symbol of the heritage resilience of Douai, a city marked by conflicts but determined to preserve its artistic heritage.

External links