Auction Benefits Deyrolle
Following the fire that destroyed an important part of the collections of Deyrolle, the community rallied to provide its support and aid. As we have learned over the past months, that community is larger than anyone would have dreamed. And the support continues.
Last night, at the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature (Museum of the Hunt and Nature), 61 works, created following the tragic fire and donated by contemporary artists from France and around the world, were auctioned off by Christie’s, with the proceeds going toward the restoration of the venerated (and venerable) institution.
I arrived at the museum about an hour before the beginnning of the sale to view the exposition. The works were moving; until I saw some of the photographs, I had no idea of the extent of the damage to the shop. There is a video of the exposition space and the art at www.deyrolle.fr.
I had thought of visiting the Musée, and last night provided the perfect opportunity. I discovered a little marvel. Housed in a beautiful 17th-century hôtel-particulier in the Marais, located on rue des Archives, the collections illustrate man’s rapport with his natural environment through the traditions of the hunt. They are grouped according to three themes: the instruments of hunt, from its origins to today; products of the hunt, including trophies and naturalized animals (my least favorite part); and most interesting, from my point of view, representation of animals and the hunt through works of art, including paintings, prints, sculptures, tapestries, ceramics and furniture.
Each room has a theme. Dog lover that I am, I particularly liked the room devoted to paintings of dogs. There is a small room devoted to the legends surrounding the unicorn. At one time, every gentleman (and some ladies, notably Elizabeth I of England) who had the means had what they called a cabinet de curiosités, filled with interesting specimens from the animal and mineral kingdoms. Such curiosity cabinets were not complete with the horn of a unicorn — later determined to be the spiral tusk of the narwhal whale.
If you find yourself in the Marais, this is a worthwhile way to spend a couple of hours. The site of the Musée is at www.chassenature.org. The nearest Métro stations are Rambuteau and Hôtel de Ville.
And now for the good new: Last night’s sale brought in more than €260,000, all going to Les Amis de Deyrolle.
I guess I’ve lost my “inner child” somewhere as I’ve aged. As a child, I would have loved all the taxidermy on display, not being aware of how it came about — foolishly thinking someone just created animals to look as though they were “real.” Also, I could pass on tho bugs/insects at any age! I would like to focus on the art as opposed to the two “preserved” deer that appeared in the video. It’s unique and I am sure attracts a lot of tourists, and the child of my long ago past would have loved it.
I guess I still have my inner child. I loved watching the school children picking out their butterflies and bugs and seeing this wonderful cabinet of curiosities.
Jan I would have bought the scarf but they wanted a bank check and that costs$$$ plus postage brought the price way out of my
attempt to support. They would not send the scarf to the Hermes boutique here in Boston, for me to avoid all those extra $$$.
My insects in their frames on my wall bring back memories.
The fire really went through didn’t it! I am not a fan of taxidermy but I can appreciate why it was done along time ago before TV and the internet. It was a “reference” for people. Oh I was sad to see the lovely shop fittings, so old , burnt to ashes as well as the animals and bugs (yik).
I have not heard of the Hunt museum Jan and if I did – I would want to go to see the dog paintings. I do love to draw dogs myself so that would be a “must see” for me. Who knew it was there!
I am so glad they have so many supporters and I hope they put in some of those water alarm sprinklers with the money.
When I was there in February before last I tried to visit La Chasse but it was cold. I would have liked to have been at that auction.
I can understand why someone would not like taxidermy, but trust me, this little museum has something for everyone. Aside from the animals, there is the architecture of the beautiful hôtel particulier, and wonderful examples of fine and decorative arts.
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone.
that should have read CLOSED, Paris is the one place I don’t mind the cold