Developing the Museum Collections

One of the objectives of the museum is to develop its collections and provide an ever-richer and more meaningful cultural heritage for future generations. One hundred and sixty paintings and sculptures came to the museum between 1985 and 2009; sixty of the most noteworthy are exhibited in the “What’s New” exhibit.

The acquired works were selected with the aim to:

• strengthen the strongest elements of the collections: sculpture from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, historical landscape painting, history painting, but also smaller ensembles such as Caravaggism or the painted and sculpted portrait, and, naturally, the art of Toulouse.
• document the creative process of artworks, such as preparatory sketches of remarkable works such as those by Arcis, Peyron, or Sylvestre Clerc.
• fill certain gaps, to the extent our means will allow, by investing in artists or styles having little or no representation in the collections, with masterpieces such as those by Roland, Vien, Assereto, Regnault, or Boguet.

The choices made by curators, despite personality differences, financial resources, and aesthetic trends, were first and foremost dictated by the collection’s character.

The Various Methods Used to Expand the Collections

Acquired in 2003 with the support of the Midi-Pyrenées FRAM

Purchasing a work is the most common method. The acquisition budget is voted on by the city council (it is shared between all the city’s museums). The museum can also request specific French government and regional subsidies from the FRAM (the regional museum acquisition fund).

Too, the museum can ask patrons for support (businesses or individuals) and they, in turn, can claim their contribution as a tax deduction.

Prices vary widely, based on the rarity of the work, the renown of its creator, its age…works of ancient art can be very costly, but fortunately it is one of the domains least explored by art lovers. The seller, at the time of purchase, must provide proof of an object’s authenticity.

Gifts to the museum is another classic acquisition method, with donations coming from businesses, private individuals, and even the artists themselves or their families. The Friends of the Museum association contributes to the development of the collections by these means. A donation given with usufruct allows the donor to keep the work and to ensure, upon his or her death, that the work will be commended to the museum.

Gift of Marie-Therese Azaïs, daughter of the artist, in 1986

Bequest: a bequest is included in the last will and testament of the donor and takes effect upon the donor’s death, as the bequest is exempt from the taxes and property transfer laws.

Bequest of Mme. André Benjamin-Constant

Transfer in lieu of payment allows you to pay certain taxes with works of art, but this is an unusual procedure that must be approved by the Ministry of Finance.