Behind the Scenes of the Workshops of the National Museums Union – Grand Palais (GrandPalaisRmn)

As part of their professional immersion in the world of art and cultural heritage, Bachelor 2 and 3 students at IESA arts&culture recently had the privilege of discovering behind the scenes of the famous workshops of the National Museums Union – Grand Palais (GrandPalaisRmn).

A Cultural Institution Rooted in History

Founded nearly 130 years ago, GrandPalaisRmn is a major public cultural institution in France, whose mission is to make culture accessible nationally and internationally. It brings together exceptional know-how in artistic production, museography, cultural publishing, and mediation. The institution manages several landmark Parisian venues — including the Grand Palais and the Musée du Luxembourg — while organizing exhibitions, publishing art books, and producing cultural objects that travel well beyond France’s borders.

Mastery of Sculpture Through the Centuries

One of the highlights of this visit was discovering the historic molding and engraving workshops, which have been breathing new life into the great masterpieces of sculpture for more than two centuries. These techniques, born during the French Revolution of 1789 and initially developed at the Louvre, are still practiced today thanks to a unique alliance of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary innovation. The collection of molds held by the workshop bears witness to the evolution of sculpture through the ages. It stretches from Prehistory to the 20th century, and includes Eastern, Egyptian, Greco-Roman, Gallo-Roman, medieval, and Renaissance masterpieces, as well as emblematic works from the French, Italian, and Northern European schools.

Beyond its commitment to heritage, GrandPalaisRmn is also exploring new horizons by collaborating with contemporary artists such as Prune Noury and Jeff Koons. These partnerships give rise to original sculptures and engravings, the result of a dialogue between traditional techniques and bold artistic visions, proving that tradition and innovation can coexist harmoniously.

For our students, this visit offered a rare and inspiring glimpse into the meticulous process of museum reproduction. They saw how historical excellence feeds contemporary creation, and how institutions like GrandPalaisRmn continue to influence the future of art.