Galerie David d'Angers | Musée de France in Angers

Galerie David d'Angers is a museum in Angers, in Maine-et-Loire, located on the site of the former Toussaint Abbey. It is dedicated to the work of sculptor David d'Angers, the 19th-century artist Pierre-Jean David d'Angers, who was also a medallist and drawer. The museum is labeled a Musée de France. Its collection is mainly composed of original plaster models, which are preparatory stages for bronze or marble sculpture. The museum also contains statues, busts, medallions, and other works by David d'Angers. The gallery was created in 1983 and inaugurated in 2011. Historically, the city of Angers had already dedicated an exhibition space to David d'Angers from 1839, and his collection became the most important sculpture collection in the museum at the beginning of the 20th century. The present museum reflects this long connection between the artist and the city.

Map showing the location of Galerie David d'Angers in Angers — Location of **Galerie David d'Angers** in Angers

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Musee de France at the Former Toussaint Abbey

Galerie David d'Angers is a museum located in Angers, in Maine-et-Loire, on the site of the former Toussaint Abbey. It is dedicated to the works of the sculptor David d'Angers. Its collection is mainly composed of original plasters, which served as preparatory stages for bronze or marble sculpture. The institution is labeled as a Musee de France, reflecting its status within the French museum system.

History of the David d'Angers Gallery

The history of the Galerie David d'Angers is closely linked to Pierre-Jean David d'Angers, a 19th-century sculptor, medallist, and drawer who produced a large number of works. In 1811, he donated three awarded works to the city of Angers, and he later became a well known Romantic figure in his native region, where he also donated many works. From 1839, the city of Angers dedicated an exhibition space to him in the refectory of the museum of fine arts.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the David d'Angers collection was the museum's most important sculpture collection. It comprised more than 400 pieces donated by Pierre-Jean David d'Angers, and it was completed in 1903 by a donation from Leferme, born David-d'Angers. The gallery itself was created in 1983 and inaugurated in 2011.

Collection and Display

The Musee David d'Angers presents a collection mainly composed of plaster workshop models, along with statues, busts, and medallions. According to the Joconde catalog, the museum held 985 works at its latest update. The collection also includes works by David d'Angers that are scattered mainly across Europe and the United States. Within the museum, large sculptures are displayed on the lower level so they can be viewed from the mezzanine, while smaller works such as drawings and busts are shown on the mezzanine itself. The mezzanine includes busts of literary and political figures, as well as friends of David, and holds about one hundred medallions. Among the displayed works are preparatory pieces for the pediment sculpture of the Pantheon de Paris, including a version shown at one-third scale and placed at eye level.

Temporary Exhibitions at Galerie David d'Angers

Galerie David d'Angers has presented temporary exhibitions that renewed the display of its collections. In 2014, these exhibitions featured drawings made by the artist for the decor of the theatre of the Odeon. In 2015, they examined the links between the artist's portrait art and phrenology. In 2016, they focused on the main stages of the artist's career and on the techniques of sculpture.

Special Events and Public Access

Galerie David d'Angers participates in and organizes several public cultural events. These include La Nuit europeenne des musees and La Nuit magique, which allow visitors to explore the gallery at night. The gallery also takes part in the Journees europeennes du patrimoine. These activities place the site within broader heritage and museum programming and offer occasional opportunities for evening access.