Musée Zadkine

Ossip ZADKINE and les Arques form an inextricable bond. Born in Vitebsk, near Smolensk in 1890, Zadkine arrived in Paris in 1909 and became a naturalised French citizen in 1921. In 1934 he and his wife, the painter Valentine Prax came to Les Arques to visit a property. They instantly fell in love with the place and their attachment to this region never waivered. It served as the inspiration for many of his most important works.

The Lot Conseil Général wanted to preserve the memory of Zadkine in these places that were so important to him. Following an agreement with the City of Paris, a museum dedicated to his life and work was created in 1988.

The challenge for the founders of the museum was to take on board the profound relationship between the artist and his surroundings. Some of his works are therefore displayed beyond the walls of the museum, outdoors in the village. The magnificent Roman church in les Arques serves as a backdrop for the monumental “Christ” and the “Pieta” which adds, as if it were necessary, even more emotional impact to these sculptures.