"It's marvellous to see them and an important part of our history. We knew they once existed because my father remembers seeing them, and we always hoped to be able to rediscover them one day. But we were afraid what condition they would be in or even if they were still there."
"What's really exciting and important is it's one of the few legacies of the circus from that era in painting. We've only seen two [panels] so far, but we're going to open everything up to find out what's there."
Cirque d'Hiver, established in 1852 and the world's oldest circus, has hosted legendary performers including Jules Leotard, who invented the trapeze act, and inspired famous films. The iconic 20-sided building in Paris's 11th arrondissement recently underwent renovation revealing extraordinary painted canvas panels hidden for over 70 years. The Bouglione family, owners since 1934, initiated complete restoration efforts to return the circus to its original 19th-century appearance. Co-director Louis-Sampion Bouglione expressed excitement about rediscovering these panels, which represent rare surviving circus artwork from that era. The discovery marks a significant moment in preserving the circus's historical legacy and architectural heritage.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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