After more than ten years of closure and a complete renovation of the building and collections, the Musée des Hussards underwent a complete overhaul, reopening its doors to the public in April 2012.
The museographic tour features two major collections: the International Hussar Collection and the Fine Arts Collection.
Boasting 17,000 objects, the new museum offers a precise view of one of the most unusual military phenomena.
The new spaces allow visitors to discover the great epic of the Hussars from 1545 to 1945.
Organized chronologically, the tour highlights the history and aesthetics of the uniforms.
Over one hundred and fifty mannequins and busts, six hundred weapons, a collection of around one hundred drawings and paintings, and a host of special equipment tell the eventful story of Hussars from thirty different countries.
A new hussar figure has just been installed in the showcases.
It's a dolman from the 1st Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry.
This original unit, which dates back to the beginning of the American Revolutionary War, is a private military association whose hundred or so light cavalrymen provide escort service for VIPs in Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) and supply officers and cavalrymen to the regular army during conflicts. The uniform on display dates from the 1860s-1880s, i.e. from the period of the American Civil War and the Indian Wars. Its cut dates back to 1825, and was decided by the Marquis de Lafayette, who enjoyed the protection of the First Troop and presented it with its new blue uniform with white braids during a trip to the USA. This dolman joins the 1880-1900 uniform of Philadelphia's other cavalry unit, the 2d Troop, known for its scarlet tunic with white braids.
The Fine Arts Collection
Heteroclite and heterogeneous, this fund was constituted in the 19th century by various donations, legacies, purchases and deposits, including those of Achille Jubinal, deputy of the Hautes-Pyrénées.
The new museography presents a selection of the most beautiful works from the Fine Arts collection in a journey in which mythology and religion play a predominant role.
It brings together major works from the Italian school and the Dutch and Flemish schools of the 16th and 17th centuries, as well as from the French schools of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Among the most outstanding works are Pontormo's "Christ with Bonds" from the 16th century Italian school, the "Judgment of Paris" by Frans Floris, a 16th century Flemish mannerist painter, Noah's "Drunkenness" for 17th century Spanish Baroque painting, J.G. Platzer's "Jesus chasing merchants out of the temple" for Austrian Baroque painting, and the Orientalist movement with works such as A. Dauzats.
International Museum of Hussars
Massey Garden,
65000 Tarbes
Phone : 05.62.44.36.95
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(free version)
