A treasure of French art narrowly escaped destruction. Rare works by Antoine Watteau, threatened by the fires in Los Angeles, are expected for an event exhibition at the Château de Chantilly. Find out how an enthusiast managed to save them at the last minute…
It was a miraculous rescue that took place thousands of kilometers from the Château de Chantilly. While the flames ravaged the Los Angeles region, a well-known Franco-American collector from the Condé Museum achieved a real feat by protecting priceless drawings and paintings by Antoine Watteau. These precious works by the 18th century master, expected in the Oise for an exhibition event, were preserved at the last minute thanks to the ingenuity of this enthusiast.
An exceptional collection threatened by flames
Lionel Sauvage, an enlightened fan of Watteau’s art, was to lend several major pieces from his collection to the Chantilly museum as part of the exhibition “Les Mondes de Watteau”, scheduled from March 8 to June 15. But that was without taking into account the threat of fires which came dangerously close to his property in Los Angeles.
Faced with imminent danger, this Franco-American did not hesitate for a second. According to the director of the Condé museum, Mathieu Deldicque, the collector had planned everything by setting up an airtight cellar to protect his treasures from fire and water. A precaution that proved beneficial when the flames surrounded his home.
A garden hose as a last line of defense
But Lionel Sauvage’s ingenuity did not stop there. Determined to defend his artistic sanctuary, he used the water from his swimming pool to water the perimeter of his house with a simple garden hose. A desperate but effective gesture, which made it possible to keep the flames at bay and save this invaluable heritage.
Their destruction would have been a significant loss for the history of art because Watteau did not have a very long career.
-– Mathieu Deldicque, director of the Condé museum in Chantilly
Highly anticipated works at Chantilly
The arrival of Lionel Sauvage’s drawings and paintings is expected at the beginning of February at the museum, which already houses the second largest public collection dedicated to Watteau after that of the Louvre. A major exhibition which promises to lift the veil on little-known facets of this precocious genius, who died at just 37 years old.
Alongside the famous Gallant partiesvisitors will discover new themes explored by the artist such as otherness and the representation of black models. The unique opportunity to admire works rarely or never exhibited, from European and American private collections.
- A dive into the contrasting and mysterious worlds of Watteau
- Masterpieces rescued from the flames for a unique exhibition
- The genius of Rococo in the spotlight in the setting of the Château de Chantilly
The Louvre also pays tribute to Watteau
While waiting for the start of this exceptional retrospective, Watteau fans can already discover another part of his work at the Louvre Museum. Until February 3, an exhibition around his enigmatic Pierrotrecently restored, invites you to unlock the secrets of this icon of French painting.
This moving rescue of the works of Los Angeles in any case confirms the still lively fascination exercised by Watteau, almost three centuries after his death. The unfailing mobilization of enthusiasts like Lionel Sauvage to preserve this fragile heritage appears more crucial than ever. Meet now in March at the Domaine de Chantilly, to appreciate the timeless delicacy of this immense artist, whose visions continue to ignite us.
