The Work of
François
Brochet
A gallery open year-round in Vézelay, at the heart of Burgundy, to discover the artist's work.
A world to discover
François Brochet meets the architect Le Corbusier.
He creates with the Arquebuse group — Bernard Buffet, Michel Ciry… — the first artistic exhibition at the Musée de l'Œuvre Viollet-le-Duc.
He opens his home L'Été à Vézelay, at 52 rue Saint-Étienne, where he comes to draw and paint.
After his passing, the space becomes a gallery presenting paintings, sculptures and engravings, as well as his personal favourites.
In the 13th-century « LA CAVE » the various aspects of ceramics from the 1950s–70: Vallauris, Puisaye… and in particular the « Zazou » spirit of the Accolay potters.
Les sculptures dans la ville
In 1942 François Brochet begins his apprenticeship in Monéteau with Fernand PY. From 1946, at the foot of Saint-Étienne cathedral in Auxerre, he creates mural tapestries and above all a sculptural work in « direct carving » : Marie Noël, Cadet Roussel, Rétif de la Bretonne…
In 1983 he donates to the city of Auxerre the group « Massacre of the Innocents », more than 100 polychrome wood sculptures, held at the Musée des Visitandines.
Le Massacre
des Innocents
Addressed to those who will come to spend a few moments with my sculptures.
« One should perhaps love more,
And in this craft made for the eye,
That the hand carves so well
That only the soul remains — a true human craft,
One who each day presses on
Unsatisfied
Yet lucid,
That is to say a little above
The confused fray.
Not one against all,
But with and for all.
As for the innocents,
They shall be superior to judges
Beyond contempt,
Above the cunning,
Stronger than the powerful.
It is for them that we must raise
Monuments of Love
With patience and conviction
In wood, stone and bronze.
Thus, the mothers and the messengers
The mourners and the cries,
The children of lovers and those of the unloved.
Of wood, of stone and bronze raised up,
Shall say as it is written
In the great book:
Behold!
We shall always be among you. »
« IS IT DIFFICULT? IS IT RIGHT, FOR AN ANGEL WHO FEARS NOTHING, TO SMOTHER LIKE A WHITE DOVE THE HEART OF A TREMBLING INFANT? »
— Marie NoëlA gallery open
year-round
In the heart of Vézelay, Burgundy — come and discover the world of François Brochet.
Address
52 rue Saint-Étienne
89450 Vézelay
Opening hours
Year-round
By appointment outside season
The Cave
Ceramics 50–70
Potters of Accolay