About public masterpieces

Have you ever purchased a masterpiece? You might say: “Well, we are not millionaires.” I know you are not, but this does not stop Frenchmen. Fashion of contributing to the museums for purchasing famous paintings captivated not only Paris, but also the province. And of course, as one would expect, Louvre is the leader in this initiative. Last year with the help of its fans it purchased a painting by Lucas Cranach Three Graces. The art work, before known only to a few connoisseurs of art, had to be put up to auction in early 2011. Its estimated price was four million euros.

According to French law, the Louvre was given an opportunity to buy the painting before it was put up to auction. The Louvre had a few months to do that. The museum had three millions right away: part of this sum was allotted from the museums budget (the fund for new acquisitions) and the rest came from an international audit and consulting firm. But there were no sponsors for the remaining one million euros.

Thus, there came up the idea to ask millions of visitors, who come to the museum every year, for help. Therefore, requests for assisting in purchasing the masterpiece appeared in the subway, on the streets, and on the facade of the Louvre. This message was conveyed through radio and printed media. Contributions could be made through the site of the museum by January 31, 2010. However, the necessary sum was already raised by the end of December. The contributors were 7,200 individuals and a dozen of companies. According to the report in Le Figaro, donations were from one to 40,000 euros, this makes 150 euros on average.

Today, every visitor of the Louvre can enjoy the look of the masterpiece created in 1531. It is placed among the other works of the Northern Renaissance. It was all made possible thanks to caring art lovers, including those who donated even one euro for the purchase of the painting. By doing this they preserved the art work for people, not allowing it to change hands from one private owner to another.

At the inauguration of the painting Three Graces in the Louvre the director of the museum Henri Loyrette mentioned one of the comments from the website for donations: “One old lady wrote: ‘I donate money for this painting so that my grandchildren could also look at it.’” Video made at the festive pre-show, organized specifically for patrons, moves to tears. Here people tell why they decided to participate in this initiative: “This is a birthday gift from my grandfather.” “I made some calculations: I own 2.5 square millimeters of this painting. It makes me happy.” “I know very little about Cranach, but I wanted to preserve the art work for France.” “I loved the idea of joining the initiative so that others could benefit from it too.” There are still many other interesting personal stories left out there.

The Louvre now announced a new campaign for potential patrons: purchase of two little Gothic ivory sculptures, made in Paris around 1270-80, that were recently found. These delicate creations will complete the sculptural group “Descent from the Cross,” which is already on the display at the museum. According to the curators, they have given up hope to find these figures long time ago, but their sudden appearance on the market still gives a reason to hope that the sculptural family will be reunited and harmony will be restored. Donations are collected at the museum’s website. The minimal donation remains the same, so you can join in too.

French amateur sponsors have a wide range of options growing every day. French National Library offers to help it in acquiring The Hours of Jeanne d’Evreux, Queen of France – an illustrated manuscript from 1452. For those willing to contribute to the museums based not in Paris there is a campaign for purchasing painting by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres Aretino and the Envoy of Charles V for the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon.

Such example of solidarity is sure worth imitating. I hope that some day things like this will be possible in our country and I personally, as well as any of you, will be able to take part in preserving a masterpiece for common delight.