an exhibition at the heart of the artistic myths of the Renaissance

The Draguignan Museum of Fine Arts invites you to explore the romantic fascination of Renaissance artists, through its new exhibition in partnership with France 3 Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. With a range of French and Italian works rarely exhibited, we discover the period when the lives of the great masters of the Renaissance such as Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Michelangelo, aroused renewed enthusiasm…

“Renaissance Passion” reveals the way in which artists, fascinated by their illustrious predecessors, represented the significant moments in the lives of Renaissance creators. Anecdotes and episodes from the lives of artists are represented, often in a romantic way, offering us a unique immersion in the myths which have shaped our perception of the geniuses of yesterday.

The 19th century saw the rise of a real interest in the biographical accounts of Renaissance artists, notably thanks to the rediscovery of emblematic works such as The Quick by Giorgio Vasari, considered the world’s first art historian, or the autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini. These stories, nourished by anecdotes sometimes true, sometimes embellished, helped to create an almost mythical image of Renaissance artists. Seen both as geniuses and characters with a singular destiny, we can speak of a true “romantic passion” for this era.

The exhibition then highlights these myths while questioning their veracity. A way to travel between history and legend…

“Passion Renaissance” allows visitors to admire fascinating works, such as this 1818 painting by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, which depicts the last moments of Leonardo da Vinci in the arms of King Francis I. This scene, more mythical than historical, symbolizes the meeting between artistic genius and political power, highlighting the exceptional status of Da Vinci while humanizing the French monarch.

Another striking scene, which inspired many painters, is that described by Vasari. According to him, the Italian painter Giotto was spotted by the artist Cimabue, while he was drawing sheep in the sand. This legend, famous in the collective imagination, makes Giotto a born genius, discovered by the master Cimabue. The works of Alexandre-Evariste Fragonard, for their part, illustrate the passion and intensity of Raphaël, attentive to the smallest details of his art, correcting the pose of his models with exceptional care, in one of his paintings dating from 1820.

The exhibition does not just show French works; it also offers the unique opportunity to discover Italian paintings rarely exhibited in France. Renowned Italian artists were also inspired by the great figures of the Renaissance, enriching this collection with an Italian perspective that pays homage to their own masters.

Thus, visitors will be able to familiarize themselves with a range of artistic and historical interpretations, where each painting tells a part of the legend which surrounds these icons.

“Passion Renaissance”, from November 16, 2024 to March 23, 2025
Museum of Fine Arts of Draguignan
Open every day, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., except Tuesday.
Prices : normal price 6 euros, free for those under 26, 4 euros under conditions
Free entry on the first Sunday of each month