Calvet Museum, Art museum in Avignon, France
Description
The Calvet Museum is an art collection housed in an 18th-century mansion with sections for paintings, sculptures, and archaeological objects. The institution also maintains a separate Lapidary collection installed in a former Jesuit chapel.
History
The museum was established in 1811 following Napoleon's decree and occupies a building that once belonged to cardinal Pierre d'Ailly. Its collections originate from the physician and collector Esprit Calvet, who bequeathed his valuable holdings to the city.
Culture
The museum displays French paintings spanning the 16th to 20th centuries, featuring works by regional and local artists. You see pieces by Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun and others that show how artistic styles changed and developed over generations.
Practical
Visiting requires moving between two separate locations to see all the collections. Allow enough time to explore both sites, especially if you want to view the archaeological pieces.
Did you know?
The Egyptian section contains sarcophagi and canopic jars from Esprit Calvet's personal collection, gathered during an era when such acquisitions reflected scholarly passion for ancient cultures. These pieces reveal how 18th-century collectors obtained and valued pieces from distant civilizations.
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