“La Petite Danseuse” by Degas and four other works from the Musée d’Orsay loaned to La Piscine de Roubaix

On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Impressionism, the Parisian museum has decided to lend works to establishments in the regions. Two sculptures by Degas and three paintings by Renoir and Pissarro are part of the journey until May 26, 2024.

The La Piscine museum in Roubaix is ​​preparing to host an impressive exhibition. Five exceptional works from the Musée d’Orsay enrich the next exhibition at the Musée de Roubaix. Among them, paintings by Pissarro, Renoir and the iconic Little fourteen year old dancer by Degas.

Titled The children of impressionism, the exhibition will open on February 17. A few days before the opening, the movers are making the final adjustments.

Before installing the Degas wax sculpture, you must ensure that the transport went smoothly. Every gesture is measured, the atmosphere is serene, but the tension is always palpable. With caution, The Little Fourteen-year-old Dancer Degas is unpacked then gently placed under his bell.

After an hour, the maneuver is completed and the pressure drops. “There’s a little stress at the start, but we’re happy when it’s in the window,” smiles Diane Gourgeot, stage manager works.

Treasures of impressionism at La Piscine

These works will be presented at the heart of the permanent tour, in the room currently devoted to the theme of childhood, the hanging of which will be profoundly modified to allow real dialogues between the “Roubaisian” works with those loaned by the Musée d’Orsay. “It’s a museum that we support which has a very active exhibition policy with works from the 19th century and sculpture in particular which is not so common in French museums”assures François Blanchetière, conservator at the Musée d’Orsay.

Next to The Little Chatelaine by Camille Claudel who lives year-round in Roubaix, the strange boy with cat of Renoir and the ambiguous Little fourteen year old dancer by Degas will resonate three modern and iconoclastic visions of childhood.

This new course is organized within the framework of the 150th anniversary of Impressionism. The Musée d’Orsay has proposed to several sites in the region to host emblematic works from its prestigious collection to create a chain of events and to dialogue with the funds of the institutions interested in this proposal. A godsend for La Piscine. “It’s a lot of trust from a national museum for a regional museum,” saysrejoices Adèle Taillefait, curator of the Fine Arts collections at La Piscine.

Exhibition “The Impressionist Children of the Musée d’Orsay” at La Piscine de Roubaix from February 17 to May 26, 2024.