The fruitful collaboration between The Cyprus Institute and French cultural heritage institutions provided the context for a captivating public lecture, organized in collaboration with the French Embassy and the French Institute.

 

Dr Mathieu Deldicque, Chief Curator and Director of the Museum Condé of the Château de Chantilly, presented the history of the world-class collection, which is one of the finest jewels in the crown of France’s cultural heritage. It is the work of a man with an extraordinary destiny: Henri d’Orléans, Duke of Aumale, son of the last King of France, Louis-Philippe. Considered to be the greatest collector of his time, the Duke designed the art galleries of Chantilly, assembling the second largest collection of old masters’ paintings in France, after the Louvre Museum. Following the Duke of Aumale’s wishes, the layout of the paintings remains unchanged since the 19th century, providing a unique possibility to travel back in time and discover the typical museography of that era.

 

The lecture was organized within the context of the cooperation of Andreas Pittas Art Characterization Laboratories (APAC Labs) / Science and Technology in Archaeology and Culture Research Center (STARC) with the Condé Museum of the Château de Chantilly, and the French Institute, in preparing an exhibition on the analytical study of Titian’s “Ecce Homo” painting, led by APAC Labs and the rediscovery and recreation of the hidden male portrait under the “Ecce Homo” layer in collaboration with the artist Erato Hadjisavva.

 

In his talk, Dr. Deldicque talked about the planned exhibition in France, pointing to the Château de Chantilly’s own “Ecce Homo” painting by Titian. He explained that the exhibition will focus on the comparison of the two works and the results of scientific analysis conducted in both of them.

 

The lecture was addressed by the CyI President, Prof. Stavros Malas, who thanked the French Embassy and the French Institute for co-organizing the event and for facilitating Dr. Deldicque’s visit to Cyprus. Prof. Malas also highlighted the close links between The Cyprus Institute and its Science and Technology in Archaeology and Culture Research Center (STARC) with French Institutions such as the Centre for Research and Restoration of Museums of France (C2RMF) at the Louvre and the Fondation des Sciences du Patrimoine (FSP).

 

Mr. Eric Tosatti, Director of the French Institute in Cyprus, addressed the event on behalf of the French Embassy, underscoring the close collaboration with The Cyprus Institute and his commitment to further enhancing the research and educational synergies between the two sides. Dr. Michel Menu, STARC Director, introduced the speaker and provided an overview of his research at the collections of the Château de Chantilly when he was director of research at the C2RMF.