The cloister of St.-Guilhem-le-Désert at The Cloisters in New York City

Auteurs

• Daniel Kletke

Paramètres

• Architecture et urbanisme

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The cloister elements from St.-Guilhem-le-Désert, housed at The Cloisters in New York City, provide a compelling case study of medieval art acquisition in the twentieth century and the subsequent museum construction. These sculptures are integral to The Cloisters Collection and were recognized as essential in the museum's design from the planning stages in 1930. Until now, the history of these sculptures, from their original site near Montpellier, France, to their inclusion in The Cloisters, has remained largely unpublished. This work reconstructs the negotiation process and acquisition by The Metropolitan Museum of Art using archival resources. It situates the sculptures within their art historical context, exploring the sources and influences behind their decorative program. Additionally, the material is examined from a museological perspective, discussing the innovative methodology of their display. The "St. Guilhem-Gallery," which houses these elements, is revealed as a carefully designed stage set that evokes a medieval atmosphere without replicating specific sites. The architect and staff aimed to blend medieval building traditions with modern construction techniques, resulting in a unique fusion of medieval and contemporary aesthetics in the gallery's design.

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• Année de publication: 1997