Musee Magnin (Magnin Museum), Dijon

The Magnin Museum is a national museum renowned for its impressive collection of approximately 2,000 artworks. The collection was curated by Maurice Magnin and his sister Jeanne, who generously bequeathed it to the state in 1938. The museum is housed in the hôtel Lantin, a splendid 17th-century hôtel particulier situated in Dijon's historic quarter. This exquisite building serves as both an amateur collector's cabinet of curiosities and a glimpse into the Magnin family's former home.

Originally constructed between 1652 and 1681 for Etienne Lantin, a councillor in the Accounts Chamber, the townhouse came into the possession of the Magnin family during the 19th century. In 1829, Jean-Hugues Magnin, a member of the family, acquired the property. In the 1930s, the renowned Parisian architect Auguste Perret undertook a careful redesign of the building, preserving its historical charm while adapting it to showcase the magnificent art collection.

The decision to transform the hôtel Lantin into a museum followed previous donations made by the Magnin family to other esteemed institutions, such as the Musée Jacquemart-André in 1912 and the Musée Bonnat in 1922. Maurice Magnin's generous donation in 1938 was made in accordance with his and his sister's shared vision.

Maurice Magnin, a passionate art lover and councilor in the Accounts Court, along with his sister Jeanne, a painter and art critic, meticulously assembled the collection. They acquired artworks from public auctions, paying little attention to the fame of the artists but rather seeking a continuous thread of talent throughout different eras. Their objective was to gather a diverse range of artworks, both from renowned masters and lesser-known artists, creating a collection that would transcend the allure of big names and instead focus on the inherent artistic value.