The abstract art collection of the Musée des Ursulines is a diverse offering, which reflects the wealth of creativity that emerged in post-war Europe. In addition to the iconic cubist paintings of Albert Gleizes and Georges Valmier, for example, it contains works that maintained a link with figurative representation, by artists such as Jean Metzinger.
In the 1980s, the collection was enriched by the acquisition of Baromètre [Barometer] by Franciska Clausen and by an opening up to concrete art with a composition by Max Bill.
A large donation by the Repères association in 1997 enabled other artworks from the 1960s to be included. With this in mind, the choice to highlight the career of Denise Ferrier, an artist who remained dedicated to the creative process throughout her life, fully resonates with the museum's collections.
Albert Gleizes and Jean Metzinger were among the abstract artists who influenced the young painter early on in her career. Another of the museum's artistic figures, Günter Fruhtrunk, gave his paintings a rhythmical quality using simple geometric forms, which throws light on the approach adopted by Denise Ferrier.
The 150 paintings and drawings selected here convey the artist's love of experimenting. They also allow an understanding of the people who left an impression on her, through the presence of works by Henri Goetz and Henry Valensi, for example, with whom she built friendships.
The exhibition trail is an invitation to explore a period stretching from the early post-war years to the late twentieth century, showing the constant activity of a woman who did not gain recognition until very late on.