Marco Del Re - The Salle Pleyel Murals

To mark the reopening of the Salle Pleyel in 2006, Marco Del Re (1950–2019) created three monumental murals in painted and engraved plaster bas-relief, in black or red, for the foyer of the renowned Paris concert hall. Removed in 2015 following a change of ownership and the remodelling of the premises, and subsequently returned to the artist, the three works — Entracte (260 × 365 cm), Erato Humana Est (264 × 620 cm) and L’Après-minuit (330 × 660 cm) — are now being presented at the Fondation for the first time, alongside their preparatory maquettes.

A collaboration with Manufacture Pleyel extended this project beyond the monumental engraved plaster reliefs to the creation of two grand pianos, Erato Humana Est and Cariatide, whose lacquered surfaces are entirely adorned with engraved motifs: red on the former and black on the latter. The Fondation’s collection includes the black piano, which is displayed alongside the bas-reliefs and played during the exhibition.

Beyond his work as a painter and printmaker, Marco Del Re also illustrated several bibliophile editions published by Maeght Éditeur. A selection of these books is on display in the Fondation’s gallery devoted to artists’ books and fine editions.

This tribute coincides with Isabelle Maeght’s donation to the Fondation of one of the three murals, which now becomes part of its permanent collection.