 |
|
 |
|
THE PORTRAIT OF THE DUKE OF ORLEANS BY JEAN-AUGUSTE DOMINIQUE INGRES JOINS THE COLLECTIONS OF THE LOUVRE THROUGH AXA'S PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT
Paris, January, 2006
|
|
|
Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, French Minister for Culture and Communications, and Jean-François Copé, French Minister Delegate for the Budget, have announced the acquisition by the Louvre of a major work by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres – the famous Portrait of Ferdinand-Philippe de Bourbon-Orléans, Duke of Orleans – thanks to the philanthropic support of the AXA Group. The painting, which will be presented to the Louvre on January 31, 2006, in the presence of Henri de Castries, Chairman of AXA’s Management Board, will be on display to the public from February 1 to 13, 2006 in the French painting rooms (Salle Mollien, Denon wing, Room 77). It will then join the “Ingres (1780-1867)” exhibition to be held from February 24 to May 15, 2006, in the exhibition space under the Louvre pyramid.
This acquisition was made possible by tax incentives granted under the terms of the French Philanthropy Act of August 1, 2003. These new provisions, which enhance and complete those of the Act of January 4, 2002 relative to France’s museums, seek to encourage gifts to public collections through corporate philanthropy. The works selected are acknowledged by the board of national treasure consultants as part of the country’s national heritage.
Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres wishes to thank the AXA Group for its exemplary act of philanthropy in favor of France’s national heritage. AXA’s philanthropic commitment is a natural extension of its core financial protection business, which consists in providing protection to individuals and businesses and helping them develop their accumulated wealth.
AXA has already helped to enrich public collections by offering to the Louvre two red chalk Rosso Fiorentino drawings in 2003 – Saint Roch giving away his worldly goods, 1530, and the Visitation, circa 1540 – and, in 2004, a magnificent sculpture by Jean-Antoine Houdon, La Vestale, dated 1787. Also in 2004, an exceptional 10th or 11th century Dogon statue acquired as part of the AXA’s cultural philanthropy program joined the collections of the Quai Branly Museum, where it will be exhibited as of the museum’s opening in June 2006.
The Portrait de Ferdinand-Philippe de Bourbon-Orléans, Duke of Orleans is one of the most accomplished portraits of 19th century painting. Its bold composition, refined colors, subtle psychological portrayal and the noble posture of the young prince astounded and immediately sparked admiration. The accidental death of the Duke of Orleans in July 1842, three months after the portrait was completed, enhanced the emblematic character of this work.
Considered one of France’s most meticulous and brilliant portrait painters, Ingres can no longer be celebrated only for his portrayals of female figures. The work acquired today takes its place among the masterpieces housed by the Louvre.
|
|
|
|
|
