A masterpiece of French painting that bridges the Medieval period and Renaissance is receiving its final touches in a comprehensive restoration project at the Louvre Museum. The Triptych of Moulins, painted by Flemish artist Jean Hey in the late 15th century, will complete its extensive study and restoration campaign on November 26th after months of meticulous work at the Center for Research and Restoration of the Museums of France.
The three-panel masterpiece, considered a pivotal work in early French painting history and a treasure of Moulins Cathedral in the Allier department, has been undergoing restoration in the Pavillon de Flore at the Louvre. Hidden away from tourist traffic behind high first-floor windows, the artwork has been slowly regaining its original brilliant and vibrant colors through careful conservation work. The restoration team has been working in specialized laboratories where access is strictly controlled.
Once the restoration is complete, this Gothic-to-Renaissance transitional masterpiece will be displayed within the Louvre's public galleries alongside photographic analysis documentation and results from pigment sampling studies for several weeks. The comprehensive scientific analysis has been conducted in the heavily secured and invisible underground laboratories of the C2RMF, located beneath the Carrousel Garden.
The restoration project represents a significant undertaking in art conservation, bringing new life to a work that stands as a crucial link between two major artistic periods in European history. The Triptych of Moulins, with its restored luminous and acidic colors, will offer visitors a rare glimpse into the technical mastery of late 15th-century painting while showcasing the advanced conservation techniques used to preserve cultural heritage.
The exhibition of the restored triptych at the Louvre will provide art enthusiasts and scholars with an unprecedented opportunity to study both the artistic achievement of Jean Hey and the modern scientific methods used in its conservation. The project demonstrates the ongoing commitment to preserving France's artistic treasures through cutting-edge restoration technology and expertise.
