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Baroque treasures of Cavaillon’s Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Véran cathedral

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Cavaillon, Chapelle du Grand Couvent, from 15 June to 31 October 2024.

Several satellite events and venues surround the exhibition Jean Daret. Painter to the King in Provence (see article) presented this summer at the Musée Granet.
Such is the case with the small but very well organised presentation of works from the cathedral of Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Véran in Cavaillon, which gives visitors an insight into the great artistic wealth of Provençal churches.


1. View of the exhibition Baroque Treasures
Chapel of the Grand Couvent, Cavaillon
Photo: Yves Di Domenico
See the image in its page

Originally dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Cavaillon cathedral has been known as Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Véran since the middle of the 13th century, when the relics of the saint, bishop of Cavaillon in the 6th century, were transferred there, known for having chased away the coulobre [1] installed in the Sorgue. Classified as a Historic Monument since the 19th century, Cavaillon Cathedral underwent a number of transformations and embellishments in the 17th century by the best local craftsmen. Several painters of national and even international renown were commissioned by the bishopric: Nicolas and Pierre Mignard, Jean Daret, Louis Parrocel and Jean-Pierre Crozier. Sculptors such as Esprit Grangier were also commissioned.
In the mid-19th century, however, it was almost left in ruins due to a total lack of maintenance. In the 1850s, it was decided to restore the building itself and the paintings that adorned it. The 20th century saw a further deterioration of the cathedral as a whole. In 2020, following a diagnosis highlighting the poor general condition of the building, a comprehensive restoration of the enclosure, the roof and the choir began, on the initiative of the town council and with the support of the DRAC, the PACA Region and the Vaucluse département. Paintings and sculptures were deposited for restoration. Now that these works have been returned to their original beauty, they are on view to visitors in the Grand Couvent chapel…

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