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Contents
Discover the Orsay Museum's history | From a train station to an impeccable art hub
History of Orsay Museum explained
The site of Orsay Museum centuries ago
Orsay Museum is at the heart of Paris, opposite the iconic Louvre Museum and Tuileries Gardens. Earlier, it was part of a garden owned by the Monarch. In 1615, after the death of Marguerite de Valois, wife of King Henry IV, the property was sold to private parties and the construction of mansions began on this site.
The Orsay Museum land as a palace
In 1708, the port near River Seine was sanctioned to be built into a quay. The plan, however, got delayed until a century later, under the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte. Between 1810 to 1838, the site served as cavalry barracks and later a grand palace. The Palace, Palais d’Orsay, housed the Court of Accounts and the State Council. During the Paris Commune of 1871, a violent mob burnt down Palais d’Orsay and the neighborhood.
A former train station
During the 1900 World Fair in Paris, the Orleans railway company built Gare d’Orsay on the site of the former Palais d’Orsay. Designed by architect Victor Alexandre Frederic Laloux, it adopted a neoclassical style, becoming the world's first electrified urban terminal railway station at its inauguration. However, by 1939, technological advancements rendered it incompatible with larger, faster trains, leading to its closure.
Interesting Facts About the Museum
Role in World War II & movie sets
When World War II broke out, the defunct Gare d’Orsay railway station was used as a mailing centre. The mailing service was primarily concentrated on prisoners of war. After the war, Gare d’Orsay was briefly used as a movie set. Orson Welles' directorial The Trial, based on the novel by Franz Kafka, was shot in the railway station in 1962. Soon, Gare d'Orsay was occupied by a theatre company, followed by an auctioneer group. In 1973, the railway station was finally closed.
The early stages of the Orsay Museum
When Gare d’Orsay shut down in 1973, the initial idea was to demolish the entire complex and build a new luxury hotel. However, the railway station survived demolition after the public outcry that it should be declared a historical monument. In 1975, the Musee de France organization moved a proposal to convert the railway station into a museum, and it was accepted in 1977. The following year, it was declared a historical building.
The Orsay as a museum
Out of six proposals, an architect firm called the ACT group won the bid to redesign the station into a museum. The plan centered around the great hall of the railway station and didn't alter the original design of the building. They have also retained the huge clock from the railway station. The three-floor Orsay Museum was inaugurated by French President Francois Mitterrand in December 1986.
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The art acquisitions
The Orsay Museum's art collection originated from three French museums. In the 1980s, artworks from the National Museum of Modern Art were relocated to the Pompidou Centre, and Jeu de Paume's Impressionist pieces needed a new home due to overcrowding. Additionally, the Louvre faced space constraints, restricting artworks to annual Salons. The amalgamated inventory from these museums formed the core of Orsay, emphasizing 19th and 20th-century art and later expanding to decorative arts, architecture, and photography.
Know More About the Paintings
The grand opening of Orsay Museum in 1986
Orsay Museum officially opened in 1986 by French President Francois Mitterrand. Today, it houses a vast collection of artworks, including sculptures, medals, graphic arts, and pastels. Orsay Museum also handles deposits and restoration. Some of the iconic works at Orsay Museum are impressionist paintings such as Ball at the Moulin de la Galette by Auguste Renoir, the Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh, Poppies, Parliament in London by Claude Monet, and Olympia by Édouard Manet.
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All your questions about Orsay Museum’s history answered
Where is the Orsay Museum?
Orsay Museum or Musée d’Orsay is an art museum in Paris, France.
When did the Orsay Museum open?
Orsay Museum was inaugurated in 1986.
Who built the Orsay Museum?
The architect of the Orsay Museum building was French architect Victor Alexandre Frederic Laloux.
Was the Orsay Museum a train station before?
Yes, Orsay Museum is housed in the former railway station of Gare d’Orsay.
Why did the Gare d’Orsay station shut down?
Gare d’Orsay railway station shut down after its tracks became too small for advanced trains.
Which other museums contributed to the Orsay Museum’s initial collection?
Three French museums have contributed to the collection of Orsay Museum. They are the National Museum of Modern Art, at Jeu de Paume Arts Center, and the Louvre in Paris.
What was the Orsay Museum building used for during World War II?
During World War II, the Orsay Museum building was used briefly as a mailing center for the prisoners of war.
Was the Orsay Museum building used as a film set?
Yes, the Orsay Museum was used as a film set for the film The Trial in 1962 by Director Orson Welles.
Is the clock at the Orsay Museum building part of the old train station?
Yes, the architects have retained the clock from the old Gare d’Orsay railway station in the Orsay Museum.
Can I visit the Orsay Museum?
Yes, the Orsay Museum has one of the best art collections in the world. It's a must-visit destination to understand impressionism in art. You can enjoy the works of masters like Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, and other French artists.
