Jean-François Gigoux - von Cranach bis Géricault

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Cranach, Dürer, Tizian, Bellini, Rubens, Rembrandt, Goya – these renowned artists are all represented in the remarkable Jean Gigoux collection, featuring exquisite paintings and drawings. Despite its significance, this collection has never been exhibited in Germany and remains largely unknown. Jean Gigoux (1806-1894) gained recognition in 19th-century France as a painter and illustrator, amassing a fortune that allowed him to build an extraordinary art collection. The Von der Heydt-Museum is showcasing these exceptional masterpieces for the first time in Germany. A unique aspect of this exhibition is that the artworks were curated by an artist himself. Gigoux, with his deep knowledge of painting and keen observational skills, selected some of the most intriguing and often unconventional works from the Renaissance to the 19th century for personal enjoyment. The exhibition offers a journey through art history, viewed through the discerning eye of a talented painter. Gigoux broke free from the prevailing artistic norms of his time, particularly in his collection of drawings, which includes works by Mantegna, Cellini, Breughel, van Dyck, Jordaens, Fragonard, and contemporaries like David, Delacroix, and Géricault, presenting surprising and delightful treasures. Exhibition: Von der Heydt-Museum Wuppertal, Germany (15.10.2013-23.02.2014)