The Triptych of Moulins, a masterpiece of French Renaissance painting, will return to the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region after its upcoming exhibition at the Louvre Museum. The remarkable artwork by Jean Hey, completed in 1502, will make several stops throughout the region before returning to its original home at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Annunciation in Moulins in 2028.
Following its display at the Louvre Museum from November 26, 2025, to August 31, 2026, the Triptych of Moulins will travel to Bourg-en-Bresse for an exceptional exhibition. The masterpiece will be presented at the Royal Monastery of Brou from September 12, 2026, to January 3, 2027, marking a rare opportunity for visitors to view this extraordinary work outside its usual home.
The triptych will then return to the Allier department in 2027, coming back to "its homeland" for an exhibition at the Anne de Beaujeu Museum in Moulins. This homecoming represents a significant cultural event for the region, as the artwork will be displayed in a museum named after one of the figures depicted in the painting itself.
Considered one of the major works of the French Renaissance, the Triptych of the Glorious Virgin impresses viewers with both its impressive dimensions (157 x 283 cm) and its exceptional execution quality. The central panel features the Virgin and Child surrounded by angels, while the side panels reveal portraits of the donors: Pierre II de Bourbon, Anne de Beaujeu, and their daughter Suzanne. The detailed craftsmanship showcases the remarkable skill of Renaissance artistry.
The triptych's exhibition outside Moulins Cathedral remains an exceptional event, as such moves are extremely rare. The artwork left the religious building in November 2022 to undergo extensive restoration work. Since 2023, the piece has benefited from comprehensive restoration at the workshops of the Center for Research and Restoration of French Museums, with the work recently completed. During its absence, a high-quality facsimile has replaced the original in one of the choir chapels of the cathedral.
Jean Hey, the artist behind this Renaissance treasure, was originally from the Burgundian Netherlands and masterfully combined Flemish techniques with French court preferences. Active between 1475 and 1505, he became one of the leading artists of the House of Bourbon. Among his notable works is the famous portrait of Margaret of Austria, the founder of Brou, created around 1490-1491 and now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
The extensive journey of the Triptych of Moulins represents not only a celebration of French Renaissance art but also an opportunity for broader public access to this cultural treasure. When the artwork finally returns to Moulins Cathedral in 2028, it will conclude an remarkable tour that has allowed thousands of visitors to appreciate one of France's most significant artistic achievements.
