Jean Touret at the Abbey of Fontevraud

From December 2024 to March 2025, the Abbey of Fontevraud became the stage for a rare presentation of Jean Touret’s monumental sculptures - works that hold a singular importance in his artistic journey.

These towering figures, many inspired by prophets of the Old Testament, are more than representations; they are the embodiment of Touret’s deeply personal exploration of faith and conviction. He saw in these figures something timeless — voices that challenged, questioned, and revealed new paths. This vision takes shape in monumental sculptures, most standing between two and three meters tall, commanding their surroundings with a quiet but undeniable presence.

Touret’s Masterpieces Make a Rare Public Appearance

This exhibition is not just a display — it is an immersion into some of Touret’s most profound and personal works, rarely seen together at this scale. Among them, a striking contrast: alongside the monumental prophets stand smaller, humbler figures, visitors to a nativity scene not of kings, but of the people — diverse, weathered, and deeply human.

A New Perspective on Jean Touret's sculpture

This landmark event is also an opportunity to delve deeper into Touret’s life and artistic philosophy. Over the course of the exhibition's duration, special events will bring together the voices of those closest to the artist to unveil some of the lesser-known aspects of Touret's creation. Among these events, a confernce featuring two of the artist’s sons and an academic who witnessed the early years of Jean-Marie Lustiger’s ministry will come together to share insights into Touret’s creative and spiritual journey, offering a unique perspective on his artistic legacy.

The exhibition will conclude with a rare cinematic rediscovery, featuring a newly reconstructed version of Touret’s lost animated film, The Story of the Man Who Lost His Umbrella. This poetic, philosophical work — created 60 years ago and long thought lost — reveals yet another dimension of his artistry, sparking questions and conversations that remain just as relevant today.

Touret's Legacy: A Monumental Collection

Touret’s work is more than sculpture — it is a statement, a presence, a moment of dialogue between history, art, and space. Over the course of his entire life, Touret allowed his inspirations to take shape in the materials around him, coming to life in wood, metal, and ceramic. His prolific creation led to collections of figures, inspired by his unique world view, from his profound spirituality to the beauty he remarked in the surroundings of his daily life.

Set against the grandeur of Fontevraud, this exhibition is an exceptional occasion to experience Jean Touret’s most personal and monumental sculptures in a space that amplifies their meaning. A rare moment to see these works assembled, it invites visitors to reflect, to admire, and to be moved by the intensity and depth of his vision.