The History of Musée Bartholdi
The musée Bartholdi is dedicated to the life and work of the French sculptor Auguste Bartholdi. It is located at 30 rue des Marchands in Colmar, France, occupying the very house where the artist was born. The site remains a significant link to his early years in Alsace.
The transition of this private residence into a public institution began in the early twentieth century. On 25 June 1907, the widow of Auguste Bartholdi bequeathed the house to the town of Colmar. This gift ensured that the family home would be preserved for the public. Following this bequest, the museum was established in 1922. It was officially inaugurated on 18 November 1922.
The Architecture of the Museum Building
Situated in the heart of the Old Town of Colmar, the museum occupies an eighteenth-century town house. The structure is a patrician residence that preserves the architectural character of the district. Two Renaissance arcades are integrated into the building, providing evidence of older construction on the site. This site holds the Musée de France label.
The interior is organized across three stories. The layout follows the verticality of a traditional urban residence. The ground floor contains models of nine public monuments designed for the city. The first floor features a reconstruction of a Paris apartment, complete with family furniture and personal souvenirs. The upper level is dedicated to American works, including models, drawings, and photographs related to the Statue of Liberty.
The building's design reflects its history as a family home. The arrangement of the rooms allows for a transition from public commemorative models to the private domestic sphere of the artist. The architecture maintains the original scale of the house bequeathed to the town in 1907.
Collections and Major Works
The museum houses a diverse collection of sculptures, paintings, drawings, photographs, sketches, and models. In the reception room, a large portrait of Bartholdi's mother by Ary Scheffer is on display. The collection also includes various objects referring to the Jewish community in Alsace.
The exhibition is organized across three levels. The ground floor contains models of nine public monuments designed for Colmar. On the first floor, a reconstruction of Bartholdi's Paris apartment features family furniture and personal souvenirs. This level also includes a room dedicated to models and studies of the Lion of Belfort, alongside models and studies of the Statue of Vercingétorix de Clermont-Ferrand.
The second floor is dedicated to American works. This section contains models, drawings, paintings, prints, and photographs related to the Statue of Liberty. The museum's holdings include several specific works:
- Les gamins sont partout les mêmes, 1864
- La Californie de jadis, 1873
- La Californie nouvelle, 1873
- La petite folle de Capri, 1868
Visiting the Museum
The museum is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday. Operating hours are divided into two sessions: 10:00–12:00 and 14:00–18:00. Please note that the institution is closed on Mondays. During the winter and holiday periods, the museum observes specific closures on 1 January, 1 May, 1 November, and 25 December. On 24 and 31 December, the museum operates with an early closing time of approximately 15:30.
Admission to the museum is priced at 5€ for adults and 3€ for students. Visitors typically require approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to complete the circuit through the three levels of the building. This duration allows for a thorough examination of the models, sketches, and personal items held within the house.
