How is the world’s most-visited art museum ensuring it continues to resonate with audiences into the future? The University of Toronto recently welcomed Laurence des Cars, president-director of the Musée du Louvre in Paris, for an insightful lecture exploring how centuries of transformation at the Louvre are guiding the museum’s efforts to remain relevant for contemporary visitors.
Her lecture, held at U of T’s Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus on September 29, was made possible by the generosity of Fondation DRG, through their support of the Canada-France Cross-Cultural Exchanges in Music and Art History program.
Called What’s Next for the Louvre? Embracing the Past to Shape the Future, the talk explored how the Louvre’s varied roles throughout its eight-century-long history – from its inception as a fortress in the late 12th century, to its time as a royal residence, to its transformation into a public art museum in 1793 – continue to inform its evolution.
“The Louvre’s successive transformations, inscribed both in its building and in its collections, interweave artistic, political and architectural histories,” said des Cars. “These layered narratives shed light on the institution’s future, as it seeks to imagine its spaces anew, resonating both with a distant past and with the contemporary world.”
Appointed in 2021 as the first woman president-director in the Louvre’s history, des Cars’ vision for the museum is about building meaningful connections with its diverse audiences and ensuring that “wonder” lies at the core of every journey through its collections.
Part of a broader cross-cultural exchange program
Her visit was part of a broader program of cross-cultural exchange established at U of T by Fondation DRG in 2022. Through student awards, faculty exchanges and collaborative projects in both art history and music, the program creates an avenue for U of T students to study in France, while also bringing French students to Toronto and facilitating visiting professorships. The aim is to provide rich cross-cultural experiences for participants to bring back to their respective countries.
President Melanie Woodin remarked on the enduring value of this type of cross-cultural collaboration. “This evening marks another milestone in U of T’s growing ties with leading institutions in France, advancing our mission to educate global citizens,” she said. “We are deeply grateful to Fondation DRG for its leadership in helping to strengthen these relationships.”
Exemplifying the importance of donor support
The Fondation DRG cross-cultural exchange program and events like this lecture exemplify the vital importance of donor support, added David Palmer, U of T’s vice-president, advancement. “Fondation DRG’s support is a powerful affirmation of our shared commitment to educating global citizens and advancing scholarship in the arts and humanities – both cornerstones of a healthy, resilient society,” he said.
The lecture was extremely well received by members of the U of T community in attendance, who were captivated by des Cars’ engaging and thought-provoking insights. The following morning, an intimate breakfast event offered art history students the unique opportunity to hear more about her career as an art historian, in conversation with Professor Joseph Clarke, chair of the department.
“I’d like to share my deep appreciation for Fondation DRG, and the vision and generosity that made this visit possible,” said Stephen Wright, interim dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science. “It’s a great honour for Arts & Science and the Department of Art History to host one of the most important voices in the art world. As we continue to send our students to France to pursue their art history studies abroad, it’s so special to be present as Madame des Cars shares her insights, challenges and perspectives with our community here.”
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