The Abbey Museum in the town of Saint Claude in the Jura houses art collections bequeathed by two painters and contains in its vaults architectural remains which can also be visited, thereby constituting a fine passage-way leading from the silent past to the delights of more contemporary painting.
A brand-new Museum deeply-rooted in history
While the Museum in the Abbey of Saint Claude first opened to the public in Autumn 2008, it is built on foundations dating from the 5th century – the year 430 to be exact. The town at that time bore the name of Saint-Oyend -de -Joux. Struck by the quality of silence reigning in this country of the Jura ringed by forests and mountains, monks decided to found a monastery there. In the year 639, Claude, then not yet a saint, found his way to the place. Five centuries later his body was rediscovered there intact. Miracles began to occur from that time on and the Abbey become a place of pilgrimage. With the passage of time, fires and lootings laid waste this sacred site which now lies buried beneath the new constructions.
Archaeology reveals the secret of the past
Archaeological digs revealed traces of the ancient site. In particular, two chapels were discovered. Built to commemorate the dead, masses and processions were held there. The walls of the first chapel were found to be covered in mural paintings dating from the Middle Ages. It subsequently served as a bedroom in the 18th century, becoming a cellar in the 20th century. The other chapel was turned into the Abbot's private chapel and, from the year 1743, was used a kitchen.
An architecture worthy of its past
It could not have been an easy task to design a building today worthy of housing such a rich past. However the Abbey-Museum fulfills this requirement perfectly. The two architects, Adolfo Scaranello and Paul Barnoud have succeeded not only in conciliating the different eras but also history, art and the history of art. The new facade of the Cathedral is in classical style, which is not surprising as the monument is classified as part of the national heritage since 2005. Approached from the garden, one sees that, while the facade remains intact, it has been embellished with great bay windows which lend a contemporary air to the whole. Through these windows we can even perceive the staircase descending down to the vaults. A perfect showcase for an admirable collection.
Two painters united in friendship and a love for French painting.
Guy Bardone was born in Saint Claude in 1927. A painter himself, together with his painter-friend René Genis, he collected hundreds of French works of art spanning from the 1920's to the 1980's. Dufy, Bonnard, Gromaire… the accent of the collection is on figurative work. The two friends decide to donate their collection to the town of Saint Claude and the act is signed on the 2nd April 2002 at the house of René Genis in Bandol. Thanks to this donation, we are able to admire today 320 works all hanging in the exhibition-rooms of the Abbey-Museum.
Exhibition-rooms of the Museum
The first room is entitled «At the dawn of modernity» and groups together 19th century painters. A whole salon is devoted to Pierre Bonnard, a painter worshipped by Guy Bardone. Next there is a room dedicated to marine landscapes followed by that devoted to the works of the 2 donor-painters. On the 2nd floor, there is a room exhibiting landscapes which vie with the views seen from the window. In another hangs a series of still-lifes. The Abbey-Museum also houses temporary exhibitions.
