Two new preemptions for Fontainebleau

17/11/24 - Acquisitions - Fontainebleau, Musée national du château et Musée Napoléon I - In less than two weeks, two preparatory studies for works already conserved by the "true home of kings" have joined a château that almost never fails to take advantage of the fortunes of the art market to enrich its collections with interesting pieces, keeping a close watch and making judicious use of its own resources as well as its right of preemption. On Wednesday 23 October, a delightful small tondo (ill. 1) by Merry-Joseph Blondel was on sale in Paris at Tajan, where the Château de Fontainebleau was able to acquire it for €7,872 including costs. Although little-known and rarely seen, this painting is a precious record of the genesis of one of the few major Restoration decorations still…