“Live” restoration of a painting by COARC – Ville de Paris
For its first participation in FAB Paris, the Ville de Paris (City of Paris) proposes to showcase the materiality of artwork by displaying, at the heart of its stand, the live restoration of a painting by Hippolyte Lazerges (1817-1887), from the Sorbonne chapel.
The conservators-restorers who will work on this painting will be able to answer visitors’ questions and provide unique insight into the historical and scientific challenges of preserving such heritage.
This intervention is part of the global restoration program of the decorations in this prestigious chapel built by Jacques Lemercier (1585-1654), as part of the public reopening project, led by the Ville de Paris and the Chancellery of the Universities of Paris, with the support of the World Monuments Fund.
© Ville de Paris, COARC/Jean-Marc Moser
Painting by Hippolyte Lazerges (1817–1887),
from the Sorbonne chapel
© Ville de Paris, COARC/Jean-Marc Moser
The Sorbonne Chapel
The chapel is the only remaining testimony of Richelieu’s Sorbonne, which disappeared during the construction of the new Sorbonne at the end of the 19th century.
Designed by Jacques Lemercier, Cardinal Richelieu’s architect, it was built to house the cardinal’s tomb. His tomb is installed under the dome.
Its Roman-style lantern tower, inspired by the model created by Michelangelo at St. Peter’s in Rome, rises to a height of 49 meters.
The original furnishings, mostly destroyed during the Revolution, are now represented only by the dome paintings by Philippe de Champaigne, Richelieu’s tomb sculpted by François Girardon, and a few elements of architectural sculpture.
The exceptional heritage value of the chapel was officially recognized by its classification as a historical monument on October 2, 1887.
Tombeau du cardinal de Richelieu par François Girardon
© Ville de Paris, COARC/Jean-Marc Moser
Paintings of the dome and pendentives,
circa 1641-1644, Sorbonne chapel
© Ville de Paris, COARC/Jean-Marc Moser
Conservation of Religious and Civil Artworks (COARC)
COARC’s mission is to inventory, study, and restore religious heritage in places of worship (paintings, frescoes, liturgical objects, etc.) and statues present in public spaces.
Since 1981, the inventory has cataloged more than 30,000 artworks in about a hundred religious buildings and over 500 statues in public spaces.
This inventory evaluates the condition of works before any restoration. Decorative ensembles are regularly restored by specialists, in addition to emergency treatments.
The inventory helps document the history of artworks and artists. Contextual study, archives, and materials analysis enrich COARC’s documentation center, which regularly lends works for major exhibitions.
