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History and Heritage of INHA

Updated on 19 July 2024

History and Heritage of INHA

The French National Institute for Art History (INHA) is located in the heart of historic Paris, at the corner of rue Vivienne, rue des Petits-Champs, and rue Richelieu. It occupies the Colbert Gallery and the Richelieu site, centering around the Labrouste Room, which houses the Library and Documentation Department. The institute hosts both temporary and permanent researchers, curators, lecturers, residents, and doctoral students to support their research projects.

1900

Jacques Doucet (1853-1929), a renowned Parisian couturier and art collector, formed the foundation of one of the first art and archaeology libraries, donating it to the University of Paris in 1919. It became the future INHA Library

1983

In a report to Prime Minister Pierre Mauroy, André Chastel emphasized the necessity of establishing a French Institute of Art History, similar to those in other major Western countries

1990

Reports by Melot, Encrevé, Benhamou, Fossier, and Belaval determined the location and outline of the future institution within the Richelieu site

1995

Michel Laclotte submitted a report detailing the final directions for the institute

1996

Following the second Laclotte report, the Juppé government decided to establish the Institut national d’histoire de l’art within the Richelieu-Vivienne quadrangle

1999

A preparatory association for the INHA was created, chaired by Alain Schnapp

2001

The INHA was officially established by decree (Official Journal of July 12, 2001), and Alain Schnapp was appointed as the director-general

2016

The INHA Library welcomed its readers at the Richelieu site in the restored Labrouste Room

Labrouste Room - INHA Library

The Labrouste Room is part of the Richelieu site, named after one of the bordering streets, and is the historical home of the National Library of France. (BNF). Originally consisting of the Palais Mazarin, the Hôtel Tubeuf, the Mansart Gallery, and two buildings housing the Royal Library, it has hosted the BNF since the first half of the 18th century. The INHA Library, initially named the Jacques-Doucet Collection, moved to the site in 1992, occupying the Oval Room until the end of 2015, when it relocated to the Labrouste Room (the former reading room of the National Library). The INHA Library also acquired, in 2003, the collections of the Art and Archaeology Library created in 1897 and originally donated by couturier Jacques Doucet to the University of Paris in 1917.

Colbert Gallery

The INHA is housed in the Colbert Gallery, built in 1826. The gallery, 83 meters long, was constructed for the Adam & Company on the plans of architect Jean Billaud (1769-1846). It was built on the site of the former Colbert Hotel, constructed in the 17th century by Louis Le Vau for Guillaume Bautru de Serrant, and later acquired by Colbert in 1665.

For Your Events

 If you are a company looking for venues for meetings, seminars, receptions, or exhibitions, the INHA offers several spaces for rent

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