Édouard Manet’s (1832-1883) Portrait de Monsieur Jules Dejouy (1879), was acquired by Amgueddfa Cymru in 2019 after more than ninety years in a private collection. This oil on canvas, originally owned by Dejouy, had remained in a relatively untouched condition.

Thanks to support from the TEFAF Museum Restoration Fund, The Finnis Scott Foundation and the Friends of National Museum Wales, the work has now been restored by Amgueddfa Cymru conservation experts.

Using x-rays and other technical examination techniques, Adam Webster from our Conservation Team has revealed the secrets of this rare portrait and extensive cleaning has uncovered the intricate brushwork and colourful hues of the artwork for the first time in decades.