guido-reni-musee-libourne

A world-renowned historical painting exhibited for free in a museum near Bordeaux

undefined undefined 9 février 2026 undefined 12h00

The Editor

A 400-year-old masterpiece, long thought to be just a simple copy, is now being showcased for free at the Fine Arts Museum of Libourne. After three years of scientific research and careful restoration, Atalante and Hippomène by Guido Reni has been officially recognized as an original work by the 17th-century Italian master.

Guido Reni in Libourne

Long forgotten, this painting by Guido Reni is coming back to life in Libourne and is finally being presented to the public! Rediscovered in the municipal reserves, the artwork Atalante and Hippomène has been on display since January 30, 2026 at the Libourne Museum of Fine Arts, where it now holds a central spot in the visitor's journey.

Behind this exhibition lies a real investigation worthy of a detective novel. Bequeathed to the city in 1949 by the family of former Gironde parliamentarian Guillaume Chastenet de Castaing, the artwork was previously registered as a late copy of a painting by Guido Reni, with two versions being preserved in Madrid and Naples. Everything changed in late 2022 during a mandatory inventory of the collections: the museum teams noticed an unusual pictorial quality and decided to deepen their investigations.

After a scientific expertise

and of high level

Headed to Paris. The painting is entrusted for several months to the Centre for Research and Restoration of Museums of France (C2RMF), under the Louvre Museum. X-rays, pigment analyses, spectrometry, and a study of the canvas reveal crucial clues: a serge canvas, visible pentimenti, and a technique characteristic of the Bolognese master.

An inventory number, uncovered through scientific imaging, even allows us to trace its journey through the prestigious collection of the Marquis de Léganés in 1641. Indisputable conclusion: this is indeed a original by Guido Reni (1575-1642), and likely the version that served as a model for other known works.

Renaissance in the Public Eye

Between March and June 2025, part of the restoration is carried out in public at the Carmel Chapel in Libourne, followed by a custom framing inspired by the 17th century. Measuring nearly 2 meters by 3, the canvas then made its way to the main hall of the museum, located on the second floor of the Town Hall, specially renovated to welcome it.

Since January 30, 2026, the public can admire this masterpiece for free, now considered the highlight of the collection. 

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