Musée des moulages de Lyon, University museum in 3rd arrondissement of Lyon, France
The Musée des Moulages de Lyon is a university collection housing about 2,000 plaster casts that document works from ancient times to modern periods. The collection is located at Cours Gambetta and displays full-sized reproductions that reflect different artistic traditions.
The museum was established in 1893 as a teaching collection for the Faculty of Letters at University of Lyon. It received a gold medal at the 1900 Paris Universal Exhibition as the best provincial museum.
The collection displays reproductions of Western sculptures that allow visitors to compare different artistic periods side by side in a single space. The casts are arranged along thematic paths, creating a connected journey through the evolution of sculptural styles.
A visit works best for art history students and visitors who want to take time to study the works carefully. Guided tours are available and help explain the artistic developments and technical details of the casts.
The collection was originally not intended as a public museum but rather as a teaching tool for art history students. Today, the casts continue to serve students as a direct reference for understanding original works located elsewhere.
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