Providing critical support, education programs, conservation efforts and gallery improvements for the Musée d’Orsay and Musée de l’Orangerie

Vincent Van Gogh. La Chambre de Van Gogh à Arles (detail), 1889. ©Musée d’Orsay, Dist. RMN-Grand Palais/Patrice Schmidt

Goals

Promote the enjoyment of the arts and foster engagement with the collections of the Musée d’Orsay and the Musée de l’Orangerie.

Activities

• Support for permanent and temporary exhibitions at the Museums
• Restoration of artworks and collections
• Capital improvements that enhance visitor experience and comfort at both museums

Provenance and Restitution 2025 year-end appeal

The magnitude of looting carried out by the Nazis between 1933 and 1945 has no precedents, particularly in regards to the premeditated theft of art and cultural treasures. At the end of the war, approximately 60,000 artworks were recuperated from Germany and its occupied territories and sent back to France, where it was believed they had been stolen. By 1950, 45,000 of these had been returned to their original owners by the Commission de Récupération Artistique (CRA). Of the 15,000 pieces that were never claimed, the State chose to sell approximately 13,000 of them, giving the final 2,000 art works to national museums across the country. The remaining unidentified artworks are today known as Musées Nationaux Récupérations (MNR). 224 MNRs are still in the care of the Musée d’Orsay, including works by Cezanne, Courbet, Degas and Monet.

A five-year commitment has just been announced to support provenance research and restitution at the Musée d’Orsay. The research program will address both MNR works and acquisition projects focused on the 1933–1945 period. In addition, a dedicated gallery will open next spring to present MNR works from the collection year-round for the coming years. This 2025 year-end appeal supports this legacy project, marking 80 years since the end of World War II.

Myriad Canada is working with the American Friends of the Musée d’Orsay, Inc. (AFMO) on this project, a US-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to raise public awareness and financial support for the Musée d’Orsay and its sister institution, the Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris, France.

The Musée d’Orsay houses one of the world’s most remarkable collections of art from the mid-19th to the early 20th century. Formed in 1986 from works originating in the Musée du Louvre, the Musée du Jeu de Paume, and the former National Museum of Modern Art, its collection spans painting, sculpture, decorative arts, photography, graphic arts, and architecture. It traces a dynamic artistic evolution – from Ingres and Realism, through Impressionism, to fin-de-siècle experimentation that heralded the Avant-Garde movements of the 20th century.

Just across the Seine, the Musée de l’Orangerie is renowned for Claude Monet’s monumental Nymphéas, displayed in two oval rooms designed according to the artist’s vision and illuminated by natural light. The museum also holds a major collection of early 20th-century works by artists such as Braque, Derain, Modigliani, Picasso, Renoir, and Soutine.

Myriad Canada’s role is to carry out charitable activities across the globe in accordance with its charitable purposes. We control and monitor the use of funds and the progress of charitable activities to ensure that donations made to Myriad Canada have the greatest impact in accordance with donors’ expressed wishes. As a member of the Myriad Alliance with offices in Canada, the US, Europe, Asia and Australia, Myriad Canada has a vast international network and extensive practical expertise.

How to support this project?

By credit card: At the top right of this page, indicate the amount you wish to donate, and make the donation online by credit card. You will receive a receipt for tax purposes by e-mail just a few minutes after making the donation. It is simple and quick!

By cheque:

• Make your cheque out to Myriad Canada.
• IMPORTANT NOTE: We receive a lot of cheques! You must please indicate “Project E228 – Support for Musée d’Orsay & Orangerie” in the memo line of your cheque to ensure that it is allocated correctly.
• Mail your cheque to: Myriad Canada, 1 Place Ville Marie, Suite 1670, Montreal, QC, H3B 2B6, Canada.

By Direct Deposit:

• For transfer instructions, please email or call Caroline Chaulet: caroline@myriadcanada.org or +1 438 300 8122.

For Donation of Securities:

• Please email or call Caroline Chaulet: caroline@myriadcanada.org or +1 438 300 8122.

For Monthly Donations:

• We use CanadaHelps. Please find the link here.

If you need any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

All donations are eligible for a tax receipt in Canada.

The projects are managed with the greatest care and professionalism.