The museum’s permanent collections will be enriched in summer 2024 by a new focus on Yan’ Dargent and La Divine Comédie.
Dante’s work, illustrated by Yan’ Dargent, was published in 1879 and was a huge success. The exhibition features numerous original preparatory drawings from the museum’s collection. Also on display are copies of the 1879 Garnier edition in French and Spanish, some on large paper.
Yan’ Dargent’s illustrations rival those of Gustave Doré, both of which are displayed in the showcases. Yan’ Dargent’s paintings in the same vein hang on the wall.
Books on loan from the heritage collection of the Champs Libres library in Rennes show the passion for Dante’s masterpiece in the 19th century. Next to the paintingBrizeux et Marie sur les bords du Scorff by Yan’ Dargent, on loan from the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire de Saint-Brieuc, is Auguste Brizeux’s translation of The Divine Comedy.
Dossier produced in collaboration with Claire Lesage, lecturer in Italian at Rennes 2 University, member of CELLAM and head of the “Material Reception” section of the ANR Dante d’hier à aujourd’hui en France (DhaF).
Paolo and Francesca, original drawing by Yan’ Dargent for the Divine Comedy (1879) (Inferno, Canto V). Yan’ Dargent Museum Collection. Yan’ Dargent Museum, Saint-Servais.
Paolo and Francesca, engraving based on a drawing by Yan’ Dargent for the Divine Comedy (1879) (Inferno, Canto V). Collection Musée Yan’ Dargent © Musee Yan’ Dargent à Saint-Servais – Photo Albert Pennec