>Development
>Acquisition
>Conservation



 



How the Museum Acquires a Work of Art

The curators remain abreast of works that are on the art market (specialised galleries, artists, collectors, or public sales) through industry publications and their contact networks. Donors may also suggest works to them.

The curators then evaluate the various possibilities based on what they would bring to the collections:

  • does the work characterize a period, style, artist, or an ensemble that could be better represented in the collections?
  • Does it have stylistic qualities?
  • How well is it preserved?
  • Does the price fit the museum’s budget?

The list of works that the curators would wish to acquire is then submitted to a regional scientific commission which gives an opinion on the list. This commission is composed of curators and experts and is chaired by the regional cultural affairs director (who is the regional representative of the Ministry of Culture).

Using this opinion as a guide, the museum then purchases or receives the donation of the article(s), which is generally executed through private-law contracts.

In the case of a public sale, the museum has pre-emptive rights: it has priority over other possible buyers to acquire the work good, and under the same conditions.

 
Acquired by pre-emption at public sale in 2008