Au fil des collections

De Tiepolo à Degas

This book was published to accompany the exhibition Au fil des collections, de Tiepolo à Degas, which gave visitors the opportunity to (re)discover the treasures of the Fondation de l’Hermitage, in Lausanne, juxtaposed with gems from other Swiss collections in an original and innovative display.Thanks to the wonderful colour reproductions of all the works exhibited, this book takes the reader on an artistic journey from Tiepolo to Degas, by way of Bocion, Magritte, Vallotton, Vuillard, and Valadon.

The journey begins with some drawings by the Tiepolo family, whose members were among the greatest artists of eighteenth-century Venice, and continues with the work of François Bocion, represented by a rich selection of paintings, including views of Venice and depictions of outings on Lake Geneva. Bequeathed in 1998, Edgar Degas’s Les Danseuses is another masterpiece in the Hermitage. Surrounding this splendid pastel, a selection of other ballet works by the artist reveals how modern his compositions were. Impressionism is given pride of place at the heart of the catalogue, with works by painters that have always been associated with the Fondation de l’Hermitage, such as Sisley, Fantin-Latour, and Caillebotte. Vuillard and Vallotton have a section all to themselves. Paintings by artists from the Vaud region of Switzerland active during the early decades of the twentieth century bear witness to the new trends emerging in Swiss art during that pivotal period. A further section is devoted to surrealism, especially some exceptional works by René Magritte. The catalogue ends with a wonderful ensemble of paintings by Suzanne Valadon, which are remarkable for their strong and simple compositions enhanced by vibrant colours.

Béatrice Aubert Miéville is an expert in François Bocion and the author of several monographs on the artist.
Aurélie Couvreur is a curator at the Fondation de l’Hermitage, in Lausanne.
Florence Friedrich is a scientific consultant at the Fondation de l’Hermitage, in Lausanne.
Dominique Hoeltschi is a scientific consultant at the Fondation de l’Hermitage, in Lausanne.
Dave Lüthi is a professor of architecture and heritage at the University of Lausanne.
Katia Poletti is a curator at the Fondation Félix Vallotton, in Lausanne.
Nathalie Strasser is the curator of the Jean Bonna Collection, in Geneva, and an expert in Italian drawing.
Sylvie Wuhrmann is the Director of the Fondation de l’Hermitage, in Lausanne.