|
The
''LE BRUN PROJECT '' is a group of experts and historians
who bring their knowledge and experience to the advanced
study of the works of LE BRUN, especially to the
identification of paintings that will be part of the
catalogue raisonné of the works of LE BRUN. The LE BRUN
PROJECT is directed by Mr. Michel Gareau, whose work for the
past 28 years has focused exclusively on the works of LE
BRUN.
The
private library of the LE BRUN PROJECT contains
reproductions of more than 2,000 drawings* made by LE BRUN,
whose originals are found in the Louvre, and which have
been acquired through the Réunion des Musées Nationaux (RNM).
Moreover, the library includes hundreds of transparencies,
microfilms and X-rays which bring together the well studied
details of the paintings of LE BRUN, in addition to an
extensive scientific compilation of the chemical and
physical data of the materials and mediums used by LE BRUN.
*
(The
LE BRUN PROJECT is not authorized by the RNM to sell, give
access to or distribute to the public the material that it
has acquired from the RNM.) To obtain photos, microfilms or reproductions of documents
or works located in the museums of France, please contact
the photography department of the
RNM
directly.
The
5 steps required to propose the examination of a painting
are as follows:
|
1) |
First, contact the LE BRUN PROJECT, by using the ''Contact
'' link in the menu on the left, in order to submit
by email a color photograph showing the complete
painting, along with all information already known
about its subject. |
|
2) |
If the digital photograph interests the committee,
you will then submit, by regular mail, a color
photograph of at least 200mm as well as a color
transparency of at least 55mm. |
|
3) |
If the photo still indicates a connection to LE BRUN,
you will then be given a date within twelve months’
time. On this date, a representative of the LE BRUN
PROJECT will travel to a location near the site of
the proposed painting, to which you will have to
have the painting transported in order that a visual
inspection using an electronic microscope can be
made. For reasons of credibility, it is strictly
forbidden to personally meet at any time with a
representative of the verification committee of the
LE BRUN PROJECT to discuss this painting. However,
you may delegate security agents from recognized
firms to guarantee the protection of your property.
The examination will take less than two hours. |
|
4) |
If the proposed painting positively passes the third
step, it must then undergo a more thorough
examination by the verification committee of the LE
BRUN PROJECT. At this time, the painting will be
transported to the laboratories of the LE BRUN
PROJECT (located outside France for all paintings
not emanating from within France), and a rigorous
procedure to assure the safety and the return of
the submitted property will be put into place, in
close collaboration with the owner. It is possible
that on certain occasions some tests may be ordered
at independent laboratories located near the site of
the proposed work. The testing will take
approximately one week. The authorization period
for bringing the painting may be extended for a
longer period. The receipt of the proposed
painting is only accepted when the laboratories are
ready to begin all the tests. |
|
5) |
The LE BRUN PROJECT does not charge any fee for its
services. It is a nonprofit organization, and only
the cost of X-rays, macro photography and atomic
spectroscopy will be billed directly by the
independent laboratories, with no additional charge
for the profit of the LE BRUN PROJECT. The owner
will not be billed for historical research or
analysis of test results made by the LE BRUN
PROJECT. No member of the verification committee may
request or receive any remuneration whatsoever for
his or her services and advice to the committee. |
|
