Origins and History of the Museum
The Musée des Beaux-Arts Jules Chéret is situated in the Les Baumettes district of Nice, France. The institution was established in January 1928. Its foundation followed the acquisition of the site by the city of Nice from the American James Thomson. This acquisition allowed for the conversion of a private residence into a public space for art.
The building itself was constructed in 1878. It was originally built for the Russian Princess Elisabeth Kotchoubey. The transition from a private mansion to a municipal museum reflects the urban development of the area during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
The Building and its Architecture
The museum is housed within the Villa Kotschoubey-Thomson, a former mansion located in the Les Baumettes district of Nice, France. Built in 1878 for the Russian Princess Elisabeth Kotchoubey, the residence was designed by the Italian architect Constantin Scala. The structure reflects a synthesis of several architectural styles, including Neo-classical, Neo-Renaissance, Genoese Renaissance, and Mannerist influences.
The interior spaces follow a Mannerist design. The palace decor features magnificent frescoes on the walls and various elegant sculptures. These architectural elements provide a formal setting for the collections housed within the villa's period rooms and galleries.
The Diverse Art Collection
The museum preserves a compact collection spanning the 12th to the 20th century. This assembly includes painting, sculpture, and graphics. The holdings demonstrate particular strengths in 19th and 20th century French and Riviera painters and sculptors. These works reflect the artistic development of the region and the broader French tradition through several centuries.
The selection of sculpture includes pieces by Rodin and Pablo Picasso. These works are held alongside a variety of graphic works and paintings. The collection's breadth allows for a study of stylistic shifts from the medieval period through the modern era. The presence of both French and Riviera artists provides a specific focus on the visual history of the Côte d’Azur.
- The Funeral of a Bishop Saint, about 1411
- Portrait of an Old Man, about 1765
- Self-portrait with Palette, about 1880
- The Harem Servant, about 1874
- Christ on the Cross, about 1545
- Study of Camels, about 1669
Masterpieces of the Collection
The collection features significant works by Jules Chéret, whose presence is central to the institution's identity. Alongside his contributions, the museum holds paintings by Raoul Dufy and Pierre Bonnard. These works reflect the artistic shifts occurring throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. The selection also includes pieces by Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux, contributing to the breadth of the holdings.
Beyond painting, the museum maintains a selection of sculptures and ceramics. These include works by Rodin and Pablo Picasso. The presence of these artists allows for a study of form and material across different eras of modern art. The arrangement of these objects within the villa's period rooms provides a specific context for their viewing.
- The Funeral of a Bishop Saint, 1411 - Fra Angelico
- Portrait of an Old Man, 1765 - Jean-Honoré Fragonard
- Self-portrait with Palette, 1880 - Marie Bashkirtseva
- The Harem Servant, 1874 - Paul Désiré Trouillebert
- Christ on the Cross, 1545 - Bronzino
- Study of Camels, 1669 - Pieter Boel
Current and Recent Exhibitions
The museum is currently hosting the exhibition Berthe Morisot à Nice. Escales impressionnistes, which remains open until September 29, 2024. This program is organized in partnership with the Palazzo Ducale de Gênes and the family of the artist. It is held as part of the commemorations for the 150 years of the impressionist movement.
The exhibition features over 60 works created on the Côte d’Azur. Among these pieces are two self-portraits by the artist. The selection focuses on the works produced during her stays on the Riviera in 1881-1882 and 1888-1889.