Study of a chimney by Jacques Androuet Du Cerceau

A rare drawing by Renaissance architect Jacques Androuet Du Cerceau recently joined the museum's collections thanks to a generous donation from Peter Soriano and Christophe Defrance. This donation was made in honor of Dominique Cordellier, who throughout his career was curator of 16th-century graphic arts at the Louvre Museum and a leading figure in the study of this period. Jacques Androuet Du Cerceau had a profound impact on the city of Orléans during the five years he spent there, from 1546 to 1551. The plans forthe Hôtel Groslot, the former residence of Jacques Groslot, bailiff of Orléans and chancellor to Marguerite de Navarre, are now generally considered to be his work. During his stay in the city, the urban elite of Orléans became enthusiastic about the innovative projects he published in large numbers in the form of prints.

The Musée des Beaux-Arts in Orléans now holds an exceptional collection of 234 prints from his architecture and ornamentation collections, demonstrating the importance of this artist in the history of engraving and architecture. The collection was recently enriched by this precious Study of a fireplace for the Château de Verneuil, acquired by donors last March at an Artcurial auction and then donated to the Orléans museum to complete and enhance this remarkable collection.