This is not a simple harp. First of all, it’s the very first time we’ve seen her again. Reappearing last year on the art market, it was acquired by the Cité de la Musique, which chose to unveil it to the public, here in Nancy. In addition, it is the very first pedal harp made in France, coming from the workshop of the maker Salomon.
“Above all, this object is at the heart of a touching story. » What Pierre-Hippolyte Pénet, co-curator, with Sophie Laroche, of the new joint exhibition of the Museum of Fine Arts and the Lorraine Museum tells us.
Music lover gift
“At the time of Stanislas, Victoire and Adélaïde came to the region, two daughters of Louis place of today’s Jean Lam. “This young woman, Marie-Gabrielle Masson, played the harp so well that Madame Victoire had her own instrument brought from Versailles to offer it to her. »
Anecdotal? Not that much. Because the harp bears witness to this life which rustled everywhere in the buildings surrounding the royal square of which Stanislas had dreamed. And to whom the latter had given very specific functions. Commercial, for low sides. But also administrative, institutional, academic or cultural. And this is precisely what the fall-winter exhibition wants to highlight: “Gold, art and science”.
“The idea is, in a way, to invite visitors to enter the walls,” continues this 18th century specialist. A site that we have often treated to talk about architecture and decoration, but much more rarely from the angle of its functions. »
However, in these buildings, which have been classified as UNESCO world heritage sites for 40 years, were originally housed a royal public library, a royal academy of sciences and literature, but also a royal college of medicine, shops, a Comedy, etc.
“D’or, d’art et de science” therefore invites us to flow from one room to the other as we would pass from one building to another, each time with a composite set of objects to ensure its continuity. evocation. The harp, therefore, but also various paintings: portraits, view of the square provided by the Château de Pange (which served as a reference during the restoration of the site in 2005), large canvas signed Vincent representing Chancellor La Galaizière taking the oath to Stanislas (even though he will keep him more or less under surveillance on behalf of the King of France…).
The dragons of the pot
Costumes have been loaned by the opera as witnesses to the theatrical life of the time, two magnificent ceremonial medicine jars are guarded by snakes and dragons, and the Duke’s microscope will amaze fans. Almost as much as the monumental astronomical clock whose recent restoration required the intervention of five specialists!
Finally, let us point out that, as the museum has now made it a specialty, a so-called “mediation” space will make it possible to concretely “grab” the subject. Interactive models, giant puzzle, frieze, books and 3D film will confirm, especially to the youngest, that the 18th century is not just a matter of “old people with bewigs”.
#Nancy #Gold #art #science #Place #Stan #intellectual #crossroads
