The Musée des Beaux-Arts Denys-Puech or (Musée Denys-Puech) was inaugurated at Rodez, in Aveyron, in 1910, at the initiative of the sculptor.
Famous for his portraits of women tinged with melancholy, the artist had designed this project in 1903, wishing to make it a "sanctuary of Aveyron art".
He thus offered the city a collection made up of his own sculptures and drawings and then convinced some of his friends such as the orientalist painter Maurice Bompard (1857-1935) and the engraver Eugène Viala (1858-1913) to donate also some of their works.
The building housing the museum was designed by the architect André Boyer: we notice the facade with a number of bay windows to promote natural lighting on the ground floor (dedicated to the sculptures) and the monumental staircase leading to upstairs (paintings).
The establishment was renovated and enlarged in the 1980s and opened up to contemporary art. This was reflected in particular on the architectural level by the integration of square and circular ornaments on the gables, signed by François Morellet and later, in 2005, by the installation of six yellow dogs on consoles, on the facade, works of art. of the plastic artist Aurèle.
The museum is thus dedicated to 19th and early 20th century sculpture as well as contemporary art. Open from Wednesday to Sunday. Free entrance. Information on +33 5 65 77 89 60.
