Gustave Moreau's Largest Drawing, Rediscovered After a Century, Restored and Exhibited in Paris
A significant artwork by Gustave Moreau (1826-1898), overlooked for nearly a century, has been restored and is now on display at the Musée Gustave Moreau in Paris. This preparatory drawing, measuring 3.40m by 2.40m, serves as a study for the tapestry 'La Sirène et le Poète,' featuring a young man with a half-woman, half-fish figure, influenced by Homer's 'Odyssey' and other sources. The piece was rediscovered during an inventory at Mobilier national and underwent intricate restoration from April to July 2025, led by conservators Alexandre Pandazopoulos, Blandine Durocher, Christelle Desclouds, Gabrielle Decrion-Lanta, and Louisiane Rios. It was showcased from March to May 2026, along with twenty related pieces, at 14 rue de La Rochefoucauld, 75009 Paris.
Key facts
- Gustave Moreau's largest drawing, 'La Sirène et le Poète', was forgotten for nearly a century.
- The drawing measures 3.40 meters high by 2.40 meters wide.
- It was rediscovered during an inventory campaign at the Mobilier national.
- The restoration took place from April to July 2025.
- Five conservators worked on the restoration: Alexandre Pandazopoulos, Blandine Durocher, Christelle Desclouds, Gabrielle Decrion-Lanta, and Louisiane Rios.
- The drawing was exhibited at the Musée Gustave Moreau in Paris from March to May 2026.
- The tapestry 'La Sirène et le Poète' was woven at the Manufacture des Gobelins between 1895 and 1899.
- The drawing was inspired by Homer's 'Odyssey', Ovid's 'Metamorphoses', and Apollonius of Rhodes' 'Argonautica'.
Entities
Artists
Institutions
- Musée Gustave Moreau
- Mobilier national
- Manufacture des Gobelins
- Atelier Pi
- Musée national Gustave Moreau
- Manufactures nationales
- Gobelins
- Musée Sainte-Croix
- Salon du dessin
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Poitiers