3 Graces enter the Louvre

The Louvre had until January 31, 2011 to gather one million euros to acquire this work of German Renaissance artist. More than a month before the deadline, call for donations by the musée du Louvre succeeded thanks to private sponsorship.

The three Graces, painting painted on wood and produced in 1531 by Lucas Cranach (1472-1553), this three graceful young naked women on a dark background. Famous subject of antiquity, giving rise to many mythological variations, the three graces often embody joy, abundance and splendor. Lucas Cranach offers a very personal and deliberately ironic version.

“The surprising perfection of the work, its very great rarity and remarkable state of conservation have the ENAC “national treasure”, explained the Louvre by launching an appeal to individual donations, a France first!”  This tablo hitherto unknown to the general public had remained in private collections since the 16th century.

Its present owner, a collector, requested 4 million euros, a very modest price considering the value and rarity of works by this great German artis.  The fund was short by one million euros.

However 5000 contributors later, primarily French, private individuals (aged from 8 to 96 years), SME, foundations,  – responded to the call on November 13, 2010 by grand national museum for the occasion, has created a website on the theme “All patrons”.

“This is a wonderful gift” to the Louvre, said Henri Loyrette, President and CEO of the Louvre. “Not only this table will join our collections, but we received more than a manifestation of fidelity and attachment to the public at the Museum,” he said.

The painting will be presented from March 2 to April 4, 2011, in a particular room of the Museum. It then joins the Louvre rooms devoted to the schools of Northern painting. And, as is normal, all donor names will be registered in a tableau alonside the painting.