Antoine Bourdelle drew all his life, from his school days to the end of his life in 1929. He liked to declare that "sculpture is just drawing in every direction".
The numerous outcomes of this essential passion were kept in the Parisian studios, where Bourdelle settled in 1885 and which are now home to his museum.
This rich and varied collection is made up of some 6,200 drawings, among which 1,500 joined the museum when it was created in 1949, as part of the donation by the sculptor's widow and daughter. Most of the additional items came with the latter's bequest in 2002.
Pastels, charcoals, pencil and ink drawings, watercolours and gouaches make up this exceptional set of studies, preparatory drawings or works in their own right, finished compositions or simple sketches, all reflecting a life of fruitful, constantly renewed artistic creation.