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Chagall Ceiling Faces Removal Demand
12 Oct
Summary
- Descendant seeks removal of Chagall's canvases from Paris Opera.
- Chagall's 1960s artwork covers an original 19th-century fresco.
- Legal action planned to restore the forgotten Lenepveu ceiling.
A legal battle is brewing at the Palais Garnier in Paris, where a descendant of 19th-century artist Jules-Eugène Lenepveu is demanding the removal of Marc Chagall's iconic 1960s ceiling canvases. The descendant, Arnaud Carayon, has initiated legal action to uncover and restore Lenepveu's original fresco, which has been hidden for over six decades.
Commissioned in the 1960s by then-culture minister André Malraux, Chagall created 24 colorful canvases covering Lenepveu's work, which was deemed historic. Carayon, president of the Friends of Lenepveu Society, argues that Lenepveu's work, a classified historic monument, is being forgotten. He has proposed alternating displays of both ceilings, but feels there is reluctance to address the issue.
Chagall's artwork, a vibrant representation of his autobiography and vision of Paris, was intended as a gift to France. However, its installation sparked controversy, with objections raised even by the Royal Institute of British Architects at the time. The Paris Opera director acknowledges the legitimacy of defending Lenepveu's memory while recognizing Chagall's artistic significance.
