Museum Estève

The Estève museum is located at Bourges, in Cher. It has been housed since 1987 in the Hôtel des Echevins, a site protected as a historical monument erected in the 15th century in the historic center.

It is in the form of a rectangular house with several levels served by an exterior stair tower and on the ground floor is the old council room. Its decor is partly inspired by that of the Palais Jacques Coeur.

Following a donation from the foundation created by the artist and his wife, it now presents on three floors a collection of works by the painter Maurice Estève (1904-2001).

Having had as masters and tutelary figures Fouquet, Uccello, Poussin and especially Cézanne, recognized by prestigious artists such as Braque, Matisse, Delaunay or Picasso, Estève is the author of many paintings, drawings but also collages. Some of them are exhibited in a subdued atmosphere and the most fragile are renewed each quarter for the sake of conservation.

Having lived in the department for a long time, first attached to the surrealist movement then oscillating for a time between abstract and figurative art, before devoting himself fully to the first, Maurice Estève is particularly appreciated for his work and his research on colors.

Note that in the courtyard of the Hôtel des Echevins, a sculpture by Calder has been installed.

Open every day except Tuesdays, January 1, May 1, November 1 and December 25. Price: 2 and 3 euros (supplement for temporary exhibitions and guided tours). Information on +33 2 48 24 75 38.