Henri Loyrette with drawing expert Christiana Romalli in galerie Daumet at Chantilly

Two buses filled with drawing collectors and experts came from Paris for the inauguration of the « New gallery of Prints and drawings » of Château de Chantilly. It was a jolly group of American, British, Belgian, Dutch and Italian visitors mingled with beautiful Parisians all assembled by Prince Amyn Aga Khan for the opening of new galleries for Duc d’Aumale’s drawing collection. This is a major event for the art world since it is the first new gallery created in the castle since the Duc’s death in 1897. It took 14 months and over 2 Million€ for the restoration to be completed.

Joseph Rebell, “Palais de la Favorite, à Portici” is part of a series of views from around Naples

Most visitors were in Paris for the opening of Salon du Dessin created 26 years ago by Hervé Aaron at the Paris Bourse. It has become over the years the most important drawing show in the world.

Atelier de Tiziano Vecellio, dit Titien, “Vénus endormie flanquée de trois Amours”

Sixty aficionadaos were taken around by Nicole Garnier and Mathieu Deldicque curator of the show, « Belllini, Michel Ange et Le Parmesan », a group of 45 Renaissance drawings by the greatest Italian masters. Five former offices at garden level have been refurbished to present this unique collection of 158 drawings, bought in 1860 by Duc d’Aumale from Frédéric Reiset, then curator at the Louvre. There are over three thousand six hundred drawings, five thousand prints and nineteen hundred 19 th century photographs in the collection. Many good shows to look forward to.

Domenico Campagnola, “A lion attacking a sow”

Gallery Daumet leading to the new rooms is decorated with stunning views of Neapolitan villas by Joseph Rebell which have been rediscovered after their restoration.

Gallery Daumet leading to the new drawings cabinets has a very special atmosphere

Alice Goldet, a member of the board of “Friends of the Domaine de Chantilly”, was raving at the discovery of the precious drawings with her friends Prince and Princess Philippe de Caraman Chimay. Another member of the board,  Nathalie Brunel, who brilliantly organized the visit, was chatting with Louis-Antoine Prat, himself a great collector and expert. Marie Christine Daudy came as a neighbor from Abbaye de Royaumont with her sister, a great collector Françoise de Lastic.

Nathalie Brunel and Mario Tavella recently named CEO of Sotheby’s Paris

I was personnally stunned by a forceful drawing by Domenico Campagnola depicting “A lion attacking a sow” and by the “Sleeping Venus” by Titian’s atelier. A unique group of four figures by Michelangelo was obviously the center of interest.

A superb set of candelabras and screen for the fireplace complements the drawings

The rooms are intimate and very well furnished with candelabras on the fireplace which give the visitor a feeling of being in a private home. This feeling is extended by director Charles Henri Diriart who runs the Foundation for Chantilly.
We meandered in the Grande Galerie of paintings which shows five Poussin (whose drawings are shown next in September) and a few Raphaëls (of whom there will be an exhibition of drawings in 2020).

Andrea Mantegna, entourage, “Cortège de prisonniers et de musiciens”

At the lovely light lunch in the Capitainerie, Henri Loyrette mentioned a major exhibition on races which he is planning for June at Chantilly’s Jeu de Paume. Just in time for the Prix de Diane! This great expert of Degas will probably astound us with his choice of paintings. And dessert with Chantilly cream concluded an amazing morning of superb discoveries…

Collectors going the stairs to the new galleries

Domaine de Chantilly, its painting collection, park and stables, is only an hour away from Paris by car and twenty minutes on the train from Gare du Nord.