The Musée National Picasso stands as a testament to the creative genius of both Pablo Picasso and the architect Roland Simounet, who breathed new life into the historic Hôtel Salé. It’s a story of design, compromise, and the enduring power of art. Let’s dive into the fascinating journey of this museum’s creation.
From Architect to Visionary
Roland Simounet, born in 1927 in Algeria, wasn’t a stranger to architectural challenges. He spent his early years in Algeria, where he tackled projects like temporary settlements and the Djenan el Hassan housing project, all while drawing inspiration from the Mediterranean’s architectural heritage and Le Corbusier’s modernism. His work at the LaM, a modern art museum in Villeneuve d’Ascq, showcased his talent for arranging architectural elements in a harmonious sequence, echoing his approach to the Museum of Prehistory in Nemours.
A Meeting of History and Modernity
In 1979, Simounet was tasked with transforming the Hôtel Salé into a dedicated space for Picasso’s masterpieces, a challenge that demanded both respect for the building’s historical character and a modern sensibility. The Hôtel Salé, with its ornate stucco and stone décor, posed a unique challenge, demanding a delicate balance between preservation and adaptation. Simounet’s approach, characterized by his ability to blend modernity with historical context, proved to be the perfect solution. His design, the only one in the competition to fit within the existing structure, placed a “modernist box” within the confines of the building, creating a harmonious dialogue between old and new.
A Journey Through Art and Architecture
The central staircase, a focal point of the design, acts as a natural guide to the upper floors. The exhibition route flows with an organic rhythm, weaving through nooks and crevices, while a ramp offers an alternative path for exploration. The museum’s interior, a masterful blend of glossy and matte paints, creates a visual flow, allowing the visitor to lose themselves in the art. Unlike the more shell-like renovation of the Abbey of Saint-Germain des Prés, the Hôtel Salé retains its original spaciousness, offering transparency between the building’s historical elements and the exhibition spaces. The result is an architectural promenade, seamlessly blending the grandeur of a 17th-century home with the captivating world of Picasso’s art.
Compromises and a Triumph of Art
However, the path to completion was not without its obstacles. Budget constraints and planning changes forced revisions to the original design, resulting in the reduction of ramps and mezzanines, and the elimination of spaces originally intended for temporary exhibitions and a multimedia room. The planned artist studios and services along the gardens were also abandoned, replaced by a technical facility. These compromises, while unfortunate, did not detract from the museum’s overall success.
Despite these setbacks, the Musée National Picasso, inaugurated in October 1985, stands as a tribute to the art of both Picasso and Simounet. The museum’s enduring legacy lies in its successful marriage of historical grandeur and modernist vision, a testament to the transformative power of art and architecture.
