New Museum Acquisitions Spotlight a French Gothic Revival Mask and Tudor Portrait of Elizabeth I

Two significant additions to museum collections have been announced, highlighting diverse artistic traditions and historical periods. The Musée d’Orsay in Paris received a ceramic mask created by French sculptor Jean Carriès around 1890. This piece, gifted by London sculpture dealer Stuart Lochhead, exemplifies Carriès’s fusion of French Gothic revival style with influences from Japanese ceramics, which he encountered at the 1878 Paris Exposition. Carriès, who was fascinated by the technical challenges of firing glazed stoneware, produced this mask after relocating in 1888 to Saint-Amand-en-Puisaye, a village renowned for its pottery heritage.

Meanwhile, the Art Gallery of South Australia in Adelaide acquired a 16th-century oil-on-panel portrait of Queen Elizabeth I, painted by an unknown artist from the British School. Measuring 37cm by 27cm, the portrait is notable for its engaged frame, carved from the same wood as the painted surface. This acquisition is particularly significant as it is the first Tudor portrait of Elizabeth I to enter an Australian public collection. The painting features a verse attributed to Elizabeth herself, reading: “Christ was the word that spake it: He took the bread and brake it: And what his word did make it: That I believe and take it.”

The portrait will be displayed alongside a portrait of Elizabeth’s father, King Henry VIII, enriching the gallery’s historical narrative. These acquisitions reflect the museums’ ongoing efforts to diversify and deepen their collections, connecting audiences with distinct artistic and cultural histories.

The Musée d’Orsay’s acquisition coincided with its 40th anniversary celebrations, marking a milestone with a gift that bridges 19th-century French art and Japanese influence. Carriès’s work is a testament to cross-cultural artistic exchange during the late 19th century and the technical innovation in ceramics.

In contrast, the Art Gallery of South Australia’s new Tudor portrait offers a rare glimpse into Elizabethan England, bringing a piece of British royal history to the Australian public. The inclusion of this portrait enhances the gallery’s collection of historical artworks and provides visitors with a direct connection to the Tudor era.

Together, these acquisitions underscore the global scope of museum collecting and the importance of preserving diverse artistic legacies for future generations.