Art Brut Garden of 400 Statues in Charente-Maritime Gains Historic Monument Status

The garden of 400 statues in Nantillé, Charente-Maritime, France, is one of the few sites created by self-taught artists to be listed as a Historic Monument. The recognition was granted by the state after the death of its creator, Gabriel Albert, a cabinetmaker and carpenter, in 2000. This garden is part of a series on 'France of Art Brut' and highlights the significance of outsider art in the country. The site, imagined by Albert, who was touched by a creative fever, has been preserved and now receives official recognition. The listing underscores the cultural value of such vernacular creations, which are often overlooked in mainstream art history. The garden, with its hundreds of statues, stands as a testament to Albert's singular vision and the broader art brut movement in France.