Information
Rouen’s heritage library, the Bibliothèque Municipale, holds very rich graphic collections, a large proportion of which was a legacy left in 1905 by the Rouennais painter and art collector Jules Hédou (1833–1905). Hédou collected some 40,000 prints and 2,000 drawings with the aim of “raising the level of artistic taste in the provinces.” His particular interest was in lesser-known artists, but this did not prevent him from acquiring graphic works by renowned hands. Another sizable collection of sheets was acquired by the French historian and bibliophile Constant Leber (1780–1859) in 1838.
The collection includes around 175 Flemish, Dutch, and German drawings, covering a wide variety of genres including religious and mythological subjects, genre scenes, landscapes, and portraits. Among the Dutch and Flemish artists represented are Simon Bening, Joris Hoefnagel, Frederik van Valckenborch, Jan Muller, Jan van de Cappelle, Claes Moeyaert, Abraham van Diepenbeeck, Lodewijk de Deyster, and Frans Boudewyns.
Access to the Bibliothèque Patrimoniale’s collections is by appointment only. To schedule a visit, please email bibliotheque@rouen.fr or call +33 276 08 80 76.
Text by CODART in collaboration with the Bibliothèque Patrimoniale (April 2025)
Collection catalogues
Dessins des écoles du nord
Mandrella, David
Paris (Éditions des Cendres) 2024