Atelier Hylé, restorer of cultural property and a new addition to the Viaduc des arts

May 2024 39 avenue Daumesnil, Paris 12

Founded by six independent conservators accredited by the « Collections of the Museums of France » and « Historic Monuments », this space entirely dedicated to the conservation and restoration of all kinds of cultural property has just moved to the Viaduc des arts.

Here, archaeological objects and artistic works from museums, castles, churches, or private collections are entrusted to the expert hands of Diane Beaugnon, Camille Béziers, Raphaëlle Chevallier, Fleur Foucher, Lucille Gaydon, and Agathe Petit to regain their former glory. This ensures that present and future generations can admire this extraordinary heritage.

Installation at the Viaduc des arts

« Since our role is to preserve cultural heritage, the notion of transmission is inevitably an integral part of our daily lives, » assures Fleur Foucher, co-founder of Atelier Hylé and head of the « Paintings » department. « So, joining the Viaduc des Arts is certainly very symbolic. »

For at this high place of Parisian craftsmanship and design, transmission is the keystone. Rare, sometimes forgotten trades practiced by talented artisans are highlighted here, allowing these skills to continue to exist.

« Most of us are Parisians, so we knew the Viaduc des arts very well. As a child, I used to walk here, dreaming of one day being able to settle here. It’s incredible to now be associated with this name and to be in the company of all these artisans. Many of our partners work here, as well as our suppliers. This well-known location in Paris is absolutely ideal, » continues the restorer.

Atelier Hylé inaugurated its new premises at the Viaduc des arts on April 25th, after spending the first ten years of its existence on Rue du Faubourg du Temple, near République. In this new 95-square-metre space, the restorers benefit from a 4-metre ceiling height, which is very useful for accommodating large works and working in the best conditions. « The light is also exceptional. It's great for morale! » exclaims Fleur Foucher.

A multidisciplinary workshop

Four major specialities are practiced at Atelier Hylé, under the responsibility of the associates whose complementary skills, by a stroke of luck, are most welcome: the arts of fire, with expertise in ceramics, enamel, glass, and metal; archaeology; mural and easel paintings; and finally, composite works, combining different materials.

For each of these specialties, the procedure remains the same. The restorers always begin with a meticulous diagnostic examination to determine the most suitable conservation and restoration treatments for the item. To achieve this, these experts demonstrate a scientific rigor not always attributed to this profession, which is nonetheless crucial. « Before touching a work, we conduct a series of documentary and scientific research, including chemical tests. The idea is really to respect the work by using a rigorous protocol and methods, » explains the specialist.

Once the object is restored, there remains an often-overlooked but essential step: documenting the intervention to keep a record of the work done by the conservators-restorers. « Even though we sometimes work on-site, as many items cannot be moved, we also spend a lot of time behind the computer, » laughs Fleur Foucher.

Atelier Hylé also has a fifth string to its bow, alongside its four conservation-restoration specialties: preventive conservation consultancy. « This is a separate discipline, akin to cultural engineering, » explains Fleur Foucher. It intervenes to prevent any degradation or alteration of cultural assets, for instance, when they need to be relocated, or in the event of disasters like floods or fires. The preventive conservation consultant can also assist in designing new storage facilities in collaboration with architectural firms.

From Antiquity to the present day

All sizes, materials, origins, and eras... Thanks to its multidisciplinary skills and the complementary expertise of its restorers, Atelier Hylé has contributed to the preservation of diverse cultural heritage items, from antiquity to the present day.

Some projects have particularly marked the experts, such as when Fleur Foucher performed minor conservation-restoration work on the very famous portrait of Louis XIV, housed at the Château de Versailles, painted by Hyacinthe Rigaud. « It was incredibly moving to work on this well-known painting, featured in all history books. I was so emotional that I couldn't sleep the nights before! » she confides.

Diane Beaugnon also experienced strong emotions when she went to Tuscany, to an Etruscan tomb dating from the 6th and 5th centuries BC. There, for six months, the restorer dedicated herself to sorting, classifying, and then cleaning various fragments, eventually reassembling 48 objects that were later displayed in an exhibition.

Sometimes, the conservation-restoration work extends over an even longer period. Lucille Gaydon particularly recalls working on several sculptures in the Parc de la Chartreuse in Haute-Savoie, including « Promenade sur glace, » which posed numerous challenges due to the lack of information on the material history of the piece. « Ultimately, we had to make a compromise by only retouching a few gaps, » she recounts. « Eight years later, we realized our work hadn’t withstood the weather, necessitating a new intervention. Over time, new documentary sources emerged, and our initial experience, along with the collaboration with the Haute-Savoie Department team, now allows us to consider a more comprehensive intervention. »

A long-term effort, but necessary to ensure these works remain unaffected by time, continuing to inspire future generations.

Atelier Hylé
39 avenue Daumesnil, Paris 12
atelier-hyle.com

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