Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Musée de Grenoble, originally named Museum of Painting and Sculpture, was founded on 16 February 1798 by Louis-Joseph Jay, professor of drawing. He was born from a petition by citizens of Grenoble, including General Joubert de La Salette and Joseph Marie de Barral, to save works of art threatened by the French Revolution. Jay, named curator, gathers 116 paintings and some statues, despite political difficulties and loss of works, notably at the Grand Chartreuse.

The museum first settled in the former bishopric in 1800, then in the Central School in 1802, before becoming a municipal museum in 1807. In 1811 he received 31 paintings from Napoleonic conquests, including the Holy Gregory Pope of Rubens. After years of dispersal and reorganization, the museum is enriched by patrons such as General Leon de Beylié, who offers Asian and Egyptian works.

In 1870, the museum established itself in a new building in Place de la Constitution (now Place de Verdun), designed by architect Charles-Auguste Questel. This library museum also houses the municipal library and becomes an architectural model. Andry-Farcy, curator from 1919 to 1949, directed the museum towards modern art, making Grenoble the first museum of modern art in France even before Paris. He acquired works by Matisse, Picasso and Monet, despite controversy.

In 1994, the museum moved to a modern building in Place de Lavalette, designed by architects Olivier Félix-Faure and Philippe Macary. This new space, three times larger, incorporates historical remains such as the Isle Tower (15th century) and a portion of the 19th century enclosure. The museum now exhibits 900 permanent works on 57 rooms, covering Western art from the 13th to the 21st century.

The Grenoble Museum is renowned for its varied collections, including Egyptian antiques, paintings by Rubens, Zurbarán, and modern works by Picasso and Matisse. It regularly organizes temporary exhibitions, attracting an international audience. His sculpture garden and his art history library complete his cultural offer.

With an average annual attendance of 170,000 visitors, the museum plays a key role in French artistic life. It is also engaged in international exchanges, as with the FRAME network, and offers educational and cultural activities, especially for students and persons with disabilities.

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