Henri-Martin Museum: His great return to Cahors !
Entirely restored, it offers a new architectural face in the heart of the city and offers a new refined, simple universe, leaving all the space to discover the works. Nature and light combine to offer the public ideal visiting conditions.
52 paintings make up the Henri-Martin Collection. But the museum will be much more than the showcase of his works. Also on display will be monumental archaeological pieces, evoking Divona Carducorum, the Gallo-Roman name of Cahors and, further on, the medieval history of the city. Finally, Léon Gambetta, a native of Cahors, will also be in the spotlight, through the history of ideas and the Third Republic. In short, a visit full of surprises, which will take you on an interactive journey through time (we won't tell you everything, that would be too easy). A re-opening in the spring, which kept its promises!
A unique journey in several universes
The scenography invites you to evolve through the major themes covered by the collections of the Henri Martin museum.
- The semi-permanent space
- Oceania
- Temporary exhibitions: until March 5, 2023 "At the heart of Tolkien's imaginary world", the illustrations of Queen Margrethe of Denmark.
- Divona, the ancient city
- Medieval Quercy
- Fine arts, from the 15th to the 19th centuries
- Quercy, artists & landscapes
- Gambetta
- And of course Henri-Martin: his decorations, his portraits, his landscapes… the museum has the largest public collection of works by Henri-Martin.
Workshops for children…
… but also for adults are scheduled very regularly. To each their own theme: Imagination workshops, The art of making, the Midday Museum, In the secret of colors, Journey between dream and reality… just ask for the programme.
A post-impressionist garden
The painter's garden in Labastide-du-Vert began its rehabilitation in 2022 thanks to volunteers, dynamic and involved, united in an association: the ARJEHM, Association for the Rehabilitation of the Extraordinary Gardens of Henri-Martin. This is Jean-Pierre ALLAUX, Mayor ofAlbas, journalist and well-known author of Blood of the Vine, which provides the impetus. With the agreement of the owner Jean-Jacques LALA, opera singer and passionate about XNUMXth century instruments. Nourished by so much artistic spirit, floating above these gardens, the restoration project will necessarily be an aesthetic success.
A winning combo to discover all the secrets of the painter: the museum and the garden.
It was in this garden that the painter had set up his easel and sought his inspiration, until his death in 1943. We find in his works every nook and cranny of his hidden garden. Rooms of greenery, rose garden, ponds, pergolas, exceptional trees - centenarians for some - will find their luster in the landscaped garden, which so nourished the inspiration of the painter. The workshop will also be rehabilitated to accommodate visitors and exhibitions. Going from one to the other, from the garden to the museum, will provide all the keys to interpreting this post-impressionist painter.