Musée d'Orsay Acquires First Work by Jeanne Selmersheim-Desgrange
The Facts
The Musée d'Orsay has announced the acquisition of "Rascasse et citrons," the first work by French painter Jeanne Selmersheim-Desgrange to enter its collections. The still life, depicting a scorpionfish and lemons, was published on June 17, 2026, according to a press release by curator Jean-Rémi T. The acquisition adds a female artist to the museum's holdings, which have been the focus of a broader initiative to highlight women artists, as discussed in a February 12, 2026 interview with chief curator Leïla Jarbouai. The museum has also recently acquired works by Gustave Caillebotte, Edgar Degas, and others, as part of its ongoing collection development.
The Signal
The acquisition of Selmersheim-Desgrange's work signals the Musée d'Orsay's continued commitment to diversifying its narrative of 19th- and early 20th-century art, particularly by adding works by women artists who were historically underrepresented. For collectors and curators, this move underscores the growing institutional and market interest in female Impressionist and Post-Impressionist figures, potentially increasing the visibility and value of their works. The museum's active acquisition program, which includes recent purchases of works by Caillebotte and Degas, reflects a strategic effort to fill gaps in its collection and offer a more comprehensive view of the period.
- Artists: Jeanne Selmersheim-Desgrange, Gustave Caillebotte, Edgar Degas
- People: Jean-Rémi T., Leïla Jarbouai
- Museums: Musée d'Orsay
- Locations: Paris
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