Le voyage dans le Levant de Louis-Auguste de Forbin, peintre, directeur du musée royal du Louvre (1816-1841), en mission pour les antiques (1817-1818)

Abstract

The trained painter Louis-Auguste de Forbin descended from an old provençale family and studied under David in post Revolution. His various trips to Italy (between 1802 and 1812) with his friend Granet permitted him not only to advance his personal works but also to socialise and develop a network of artists and collectors. In 1816 he took over the role of director of the Royal Louvre museum from Vivant Denon. His nomination coming just after an important phase of restitution of lost works implemented by Napoléon. Forbins mission was two fold ; to build back up the collection and to encourage artists. His role in the antiquities played out not just with domestic purchases but also in the Levant where went in 1817 and 1818 accompanied by several artists of his own choosing. Progressively drawn to the Ottoman empire regions of Syria, Egypt and Palestine the trips allowed for digs and enabled purchases for the museum, (marbles, bas-relief and ceramics). On his return he wrote an account of his travels, illustrated with precise information of the sites he had visited. This work completed that done by his colleagues Huyot and Prevot.