The year is 1948. Gaston Renault, former curator of the Musée des Plans-Reliefs de Paris, is standing outside the Zeughaus (Arsenal) in Berlin, Germany. His mission, with the help of a dedicated committee, is to recover the relief maps stolen by the Prussians in 1815. When he arrives outside the imposing stone building, he has no idea what to expect. This former arsenal, now a museum, was heavily bombed during World War Two: what has become of the relief maps?
His findings were sad indeed: of the dozens of relief maps originally taken, only the map of Lille was worth bringing back to France; the others were too badly damaged. The map of Lille had also suffered serious damage. In 1903, nearly 48 m2 was sawn off so that it could be exhibited on the low walls of the Zeughaus. Several buildings had been lost, having most likely fallen off or been stolen.
The map was restored when the Museum of Lille was renovated thirty years later, but because of a lack of information, it was only possible to restore twenty-three of the city's most important buildings. They were restored with sandcast lead to contrast with the traditional materials of the model, and thus mark a new visual chapter in the story of the relief map of Lille.
Long-term loan from Musée des Plans-reliefs, Invalides, Paris
Inv. D2004.1.10
DETAILS
The year is 1948. Gaston Renault, former curator of the Musée des Plans-Reliefs de Paris, is standing outside the Zeughaus (Arsenal) in Berlin, Germany. His mission, with the help of a dedicated committee, is to recover the relief maps stolen by the Prussians in 1815. When he arrives outside the imposing stone building, he has no idea what to expect. This former arsenal, now a museum, was heavily bombed during World War Two: what has become of the relief maps?
His findings were sad indeed: of the dozens of relief maps originally taken, only the map of Lille was worth bringing back to France; the others were too badly damaged. The map of Lille had also suffered serious damage. In 1903, nearly 48 m2 was sawn off so that it could be exhibited on the low walls of the Zeughaus. Several buildings had been lost, having most likely fallen off or been stolen.
The map was restored when the Museum of Lille was renovated thirty years later, but because of a lack of information, it was only possible to restore twenty-three of the city's most important buildings. They were restored with sandcast lead to contrast with the traditional materials of the model, and thus mark a new visual chapter in the story of the relief map of Lille.
Long-term loan from Musée des Plans-reliefs, Invalides, Paris
Inv. D2004.1.10
DETAILS
