On the collections side

Inventorying the collections

This stage includes the inventory (checking the presence of objects listed in the inventory), computerisation and documentation of the works.

Begun in 2005, the work on the collections is an essential and necessary part of the renovation project as a whole. It will provide in-depth knowledge of the collections and improve their management.

At the end of 2018, the database contained records for 68,000 works and objects. It is a genuine collections management tool, at all levels, documentary (bibliography, provenance, etc.), technical (materials, restoration, measurements, etc.) and logistical (location and movement of works, loans for exhibitions, etc.).

The collections project is helping to enhance the value of the works and to rediscover some little-known items.

Restoring the collections

Since 2002, major restoration campaigns take place, with priority given to works and objects for future historical and thematic tours.

To date, it concerns more than 1,200 works in all fields. At the same time, a campaign of condition assessments has been carried out on around 550 works in the future history trail, in order to assess their state of conservation, identify any urgent needs and plan future restoration work.

Independent professional restorers, trained and specialised according to the type of object concerned, are called on these missions.

Transferring collections

The first stage in the redevelopment of the Musée Lorrain involved transferring all the objects housed in the ducal palace, the Morey building and the buildings at the back of the courtyard to the joint reserve of the municipal and metropolitan museums. This project has gone through several phases.

From December 2017 until spring 2018, the Collections’ Management team took charge of moving small and medium-sized objects that were not fragile enough to require the intervention of conservator-restorers or specialist transporters. These included ceramics, earthenware, biscuits, terracotta statuary, glass and metal objects.

The second phase then began, involving specialist service providers. Some objects needed to be prepared by conservator-restorers, in particular to consolidate the layers of paint or the added decoration. Others, du to their size and weight, required special packaging or the use of special lifting equipment by specialist transporters. During this second phase, items with mechanisms, statues in wood, stone or metal, paintings, fireback and furniture went into storage.

At the same time, two operations were carried out with the assistance of companies specialising in collections work. The first concerned the graphic arts collections, while the second involved the glass plate and flexible photographic media collections. This left only the sealed works, which remained in situ. This third phase implied the dismantlement by conservator-restorersof numerous wood panelling, earthenware stoves, stained glass windows and stone masonry, as well as the lapidary elements conserved in the courtyard at the rear of the Cordeliers convent, which will be used as a base during future restoration work.

In just over two years, no fewer than 35,000 objects were transferred!

From now on, the objects kept in the on-site reserves or in the Cordeliers convent will gradually be moved into the joint reserve, following a typological logic with priority to the objects aimed at the historical tour.

Some of these works will subsequently return to the ducal palace or the Cordeliers Convent, as part of the five future visitor itineraries.

Digitising the collections

In the renovated museum, digital tools will play an important role in making the history of Lorraine accessible to all. HD digitisation, modelling, augmented reality, multimedia installations... about fifty devices will enable visitors to plunge to the heart of the works to unravel all their mysteries.

Go and explore the collections with the first "zoom on work" tabs and other "virtual books" in th DIGITAL RESOURCES section!