Students in the MA in Managing Art and Cultural Heritage in Global Markets (MAGMa) visit the Mobilier National, Paris
A Prestigious Institution of French Heritage
Our students in the MAGMa Heritage Track 24-25 recently visited the Mobilier National in Paris. The Mobilier National is a French public institution that administers the Gobelins Manufactory and the Beauvais Manufactory. It is located in the 13th arrondissement of Paris and is overseen by the Ministry of Culture.
Its history goes back to the Crown Furniture Repository, which was responsible for administering all the furniture and objects of the royal residences. The Mobilier National continues to administer State furniture, but has also expanded its historic role of conserving, preserving, and restoring furniture to include curating a modern collection.
An Immersion in Heritage Conservation
This visit was organized to introduce our students to the world of heritage conservation and restoration, giving them a unique opportunity to explore the institution’s collections and talk with its experts as they prepare their final-year projects.
Lucile Montagne and Camille Mestdagh, collection curators at the Mobilier National, welcomed our students and presented the institution and its remarkable collections. The students also discovered the storage areas dedicated to design, gilded bronzes, and chandeliers. This behind-the-scenes immersion gave a better understanding of the role of the Mobilier National in preserving and showcasing these exceptional pieces, witnesses to centuries of know-how and craftsmanship.
An Exploration of Restoration Techniques
The program also included a meeting with Dolors Sala-Fenes, head of restoration, and Julie Williamson, who guided our students through their department. The students had the opportunity to observe the meticulous work carried out by the institution’s skilled craftspeople, gaining valuable insight into the techniques and challenges involved in restoring historic objects. Watching these restorations in real time highlighted the importance of preserving cultural heritage for future generations.
Discovering Communication and Development Strategies
The last part of the visit took place in the Campus Room, where Muriel Austerlitz and Marc Bayard shared their expertise on communication and development strategies. The students thus learned about the Mobilier National’s efforts to engage the public and forge partnerships, giving them a broader view of the institution’s mission and impact.
A Key Step in the MAGMa Students' Journey
This visit was particularly significant for the MAGMa Heritage Track 24-25 students, as it marks the start of developing their curation project based on the Mobilier National’s collections. Throughout the semester, they will work closely with the institution to conceptualize and refine their projects, which will be presented as part of their degree requirements in June.
Stay tuned to follow the progress of the MAGMa 24-25 students as they begin this exciting journey with the Mobilier National!