Artisinal precision and unwavering patience: In the main gallery of Paris' Musée d'Orsay, a side arcade has become a sensation. Visitors crowd between the signs "Poitiers" and "Limoges" (western French cities) to witness an unusual spectacle. Behind plexiglass panels, a small team of restorers is hard at work breathing new life into this celebrated painting by Gustave Courbet (1819-1877): Un Enterrement à Ornans (A Burial at Ornans).
Since early June, the monumental canvas – 6.68 meters long and 3.15 meters high – has been restored in public view. Every Thursday morning, three groups of 12 people each enjoy a guided visit that brings them up close to the work. Inside the restorers' area, scaffolding, spotlights and renovation tools surround the realistic painting. During half an hour, the professionals explain the history of the work, the nature of their craft and the various stages in the restoration process.
This free visit is open to all by reservation. "It's fascinating. I didn't realize how many scientific skills were required for restoration," said Sylvie, a retired sales manager, as she left the visit. "It made me want to come back in the coming months to see how the project is progressing." The visits will pause in August and resume in September.
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