The Musée de Picardie in Amiens has successfully acquired a remarkable 18th-century grisaille painting by Jean-Jacques Bachelier through a strategic auction purchase. The work, titled "Descent from the Cross," was originally presented at the 1761 Salon and recently reappeared on the Parisian art market, where it was sold by Artcurial auction house for 10,000 euros (hammer price). The museum director immediately exercised preemption rights to secure the piece for the institution's collection.
The acquisition was made possible through the generous financial support of the La Marck Foundation, a faithful patron of French cultural institutions. This partnership exemplifies how museums that make strategic purchases can attract donors and patrons, creating a virtuous cycle that ultimately benefits the entire cultural community. The foundation's backing demonstrates the ongoing importance of private philanthropy in supporting public museum collections.
Diderot himself praised this particular work when it first appeared at the 1761 Salon, noting that there was "spirit, movement, and warmth in the sketch of the Descent from the Cross." The painting, executed in oil on canvas mounted on panel, measures 30.5 x 22.5 cm and represents a significant addition to the museum's holdings. The grisaille technique, which uses shades of gray to create monochromatic paintings, was particularly popular in the 18th century for preparatory works and finished compositions alike.
The newly acquired piece joins what is arguably Bachelier's largest composition already housed at the Musée de Picardie: "The Amusements of Childhood." This massive canvas, measuring over three meters by six meters (320 x 640 cm), was originally intended to be translated into tapestry at the Gobelins manufactory. However, the tapestry project was never completed during the reign of Louis XV, and the painting was subsequently deposited in Amiens when the museum opened in 1864 as the "Musée Napoléon."
Interestingly, while Diderot praised the "Descent from the Cross," he was highly critical of "The Amusements of Childhood" when both works appeared at the same 1761 Salon. Despite this mixed contemporary reception, the larger work now serves as a centerpiece in the museum's Grand Salon, where it dominates the admirable hanging arrangement above one of the doors. The acquisition of the smaller grisaille creates an intriguing dialogue between these two contrasting works from the same pivotal year in Bachelier's career.
Jean-Jacques Bachelier (1724-1806) was a prominent French painter known for his diverse subjects ranging from still lifes to historical scenes. His work at the 1761 Salon represented a crucial moment in his artistic development, and the Musée de Picardie now holds an exceptional representation of his output from this significant period. The successful acquisition reinforces the museum's commitment to building comprehensive collections that tell the complete story of French artistic heritage.
