MEDIATHEQUE ST GAUDENS/ARCHIVES DEPARTEMENTALES CONFERENCE

About

Conference on the statues of the Pyrenees.

‘TREASURES OF MEDIEVAL PYRENEAAN SCULPTURE IN COMMINGES AND VAL D’ARAN’ – lecture

A lecture organised by the Société des Études du Comminges in partnership with the Comminges branch of the Archives.

A lecture on the study, protection and restoration, alongside the conservation, of antiquities and works of art in Haute-Garonne.

Although often little known to the public, the Departmental Conservation of Antiquities and Works of Art – a remit of the Ministry of Culture – nevertheless plays a vital role in the preservation and promotion of historical movable heritage. Among its many responsibilities is, in particular, the identification and conservation of works protected under the Historic Monuments scheme. This often leads to the discovery – or even the rediscovery – of exceptional sculptures!

During this discussion, no fewer than two deputy curators of antiquities and works of art from Haute-Garonne, an art historian and a conservator-restorer, who will guide you through a selection of works dating from around the 14th century – treasures from the churches of the Comminges and Aran regions. These objects, which have been the focus of much attention – including the Virgin and Child, saints and various bishops – tell us about the context in which they were created, from spiritual, artistic, historical and even economic perspectives, within the former Diocese of Comminges.

Hosted by:

Marie-Laurence De Chalup, honorary deputy curator of antiquities and works of art for Haute-Garonne

Carla Del Valle Lafuente, art historian and director of the Val d’Aran Museum in Vielha, is preparing a doctoral thesis entitled ‘Romanesque art across borders: spaces, images and power in the Aran Valley (11th–13th centuries)’, at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Dominique Faunières, a curator and restorer qualified from the INP, specialising in medieval polychrome sculptures

Isabelle Sourroubille, Deputy Curator of Antiquities and Works of Art for Haute-Garonne at the DRAC Occitanie.