The Fondation des Etats-Unis is undergoing an ambitious project to reconstitute the last in the series of six historically significant frescoes painted by Robert la Montagne Saint-Hubert from 1929-1930.
The Collection:
The Grand Salon on the Fondation des Etats-Unis is home to a series of historically significant frescoes painted in the late 1920's by the French fresco artist Robert la Montagne Saint-Hubert.
The original series of six includes a pair of grand frescoes, "Les Sports" and "Les Arts":
and a group of smaller frescoes depicting the Four Ages of French Art -- "La Période romane", "La Période mystique", "La Renaissance", and "Versailles":
Many may recall that five of the frescoes along with the Grand Salon were renovated during the 1990’s with generous support from the Florence Gould Foundation, David Rockefeller, Jr., and the Conseil Supérieur du Mécénat. Due to extensive damage during World War II, «la Période romane» was judged too deteriorated to be restored.
The Discovery:
A rare, black and white photograph recently found in the archives the Kandinsky library at the Pompidou Center has given a new face to “La Période romane”. Colored by artists Thomas Murphy and Thomas Ufras, the photo gives a stunningly vivid impression of the original work.
Recognized Historical Monuments:
Soon after the discovery of the archived photo of "La Période romane", a parallel project was begun to have the Grand Salon and its frescoes officially recognized as historical monuments by the Direction régionale des affaires culturelles (DRAC) Ile-de-France. After many months of detailed research and examination, the Fondation was granted the prestigious distinction in September 2009.
The Reconstitution:
The expert restoration team which was originally chosen to rennovate the Grand Salon and the first 5 frescoes in 1994-95 have been reassembled to reconstitute the last, fallen fresco. After initial sketches, research, and studio trials, the team will entirely reconstruct "La Période romane" according to the original techniques and materials.
The project is largely financed by a generous matching grant from the Florence Gould Foundation, and seeks additional private and corporate donors to respond to the project's financial needs.
To find out more about this project and contribution opportunities, please contact :
Elizabeth Askren-Brie
Cultural Attachée, Fondation des Etats-Unis
15, boulevard Jourdan
75014 Paris
T: 011 33 1 53 80 68 87
E:
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