The Annonciade Museum celebrates its 70th anniversary in Saint-Tropez

It is likely that after Géraldine Bretault's lecture and the documents published, based on the archives collected by Hélène Riboty and Marlène Durand-Viel, by the Friends of the Annonciade Museum of Modern Art (because it must now be called that), the public will see this cultural jewel in a different light.

The celebration of the museum's 70th anniversary, which coincides with the association's 15th anniversary, highlighted the long and tedious work which, from the end of the ^19th century until July 10, 1955, enabled the birth of this little gem.

From Maupassant to Georges Grammont

In fact, the history of this museum dates back to 1892, a key date: the arrival of Paul Signac, who came to see his friend Cross in Cabasson. A visit followed by a trip to Saint-Tropez, which Signac had discovered through the story of Guy de Maupassant. It was also, by a wonderful coincidence, the year of the arrival of the Grammont family, who set up the cable factory in Les Canebiers.

The inexorable chain of events that would lead to the Annonciade Museum of Modern Art was set in motion. Nothing would stop the protagonists' determination to realize this museum project. Signac and Cross would attract Fauves and Impressionists, leaving behind major works, which would initially be gathered at the Hôtel de Ville because there was no space. It was then "museon troupelen," the ancestor of the Annonciade. The curator was Henri Person. The stubbornness of the young Georges Grammont, a collector, led him to meet Person's widow in 1936, and he managed to obtain permission to concentrate these works on the upper floor of the Annonciade chapel. The year was 1937.

A check for the city!

It wasn't until July 10, 1955, that Georges Grammont managed to acquire the ground floor, including the entire chapel. He enriched the museum with his own collection. Sadly, he died six months later, in early 1956. Various renovations led to the building becoming what it is today.

A new major step is to be taken in 2028 with the expansion of the museum.

Having become a museum of modern art this year, the Annonciade is changing dimensions, and to improve the management of the works and organize the temporary exhibitions to come in the future expansion, the association, through its president Genevièvre Walther-Laffin (great-grandniece of Georges Grammont) presented Séverine Berger, chief curator, and Sylvie Siri, mayor, with a check for 3,200 euros for the purchase of the appropriate software .