Library of the National Institute of History of Art, Research library in 2nd arrondissement, Paris, France.
The Library of the National Institute of History of Art is a research collection in the 2nd arrondissement that holds over 1.7 million documents including books, journals, prints, and digital resources. The historic reading room with its original iron columns and glass skylight forms the architectural centerpiece of this facility.
The Labrouste Room was designed in 1860 by architect Henri Labrouste and originally served as a reading space for another institution. The site was transformed in 2005 into this specialized art history research library, giving it a new purpose.
The collections here include artist drawings, photographs, and exhibition materials that show how art history research developed in France over time. Visitors notice handwritten notes and visual materials from different artistic periods that help explain how people studied and understood art.
Documents can be searched through the online catalogues Calames and Agorha from home before visiting. Visitors should note that opening hours and access rules vary depending on the user category.
The renovation deliberately preserved the original iron columns and glass skylight from Labrouste's design, keeping the room's classical beauty intact. This architectural detail is a rare example of how historical elements are protected in modern contexts.
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