Brou, a feminine emblem

Photo du transi du tombeau de Marguerite d'Autriche

Founded by an exceptional woman, the royal monastery of Brou cannot be understood without looking at the personality of its sponsor, Marguerite of Austria.

A monument to the glory of women

Determined, audacious and powerful, Margaret of Austria conceived and thought out the monument down to the last detail. Despite all the sincere and faithful love that bound her to her late husband, the princess did not hesitate to glorify women and to put herself forward in an independent way.

In addition to theomnipresence of this powerful patron, female figures are everywhere. In the decorations and architectural details of the building, you will see a multitude of statues of saints, representations of the Virgin, Mary Magdalene, Susanna, sibyls ...

Sibylle du tombeau de Philibert le Beau et tombeau de Marguerite d’Autriche
© Franck Paubel

From Marguerite to the women artists

Female figures are part of the very essence of the monument and continue to bring it to life. Women artists have been present in the museum's collections since its creation.

One of the first shipments by the State is a painting by an artist from Bourg-en-Bresse, Elisa Blondel.

Managed by women since 1948, the museum ensures the place of women artists in its acquisitions and explores themes related to gender: the representations of women in society, their place as artists..., whether in its permanent collections or duringtemporary exhibitions.

Women artists are always one of the strong points of the museum's acquisition policy, whether they are old works (Rosalie Caron, Félicie de Fauveau...) or contemporary works (Joan Mitchell, Geneviève Asse, Judit Reigl...).

A just return of things, for those who have long been forgotten by the history of art!