Draft:FAMM

FAMM (Female Artists of the Mougins Museum) is a private museum located in Mougins in Provence (south of France), near Cannes. Founded by British art collector Christian Levett, it is the first museum in continental Europe dedicated exclusively to works by female artists. The museum, previously known as the Musée d'Art Classique de Mougins (MACM), was rebranded and relaunched in 2024 to focus entirely on women artists. This shift followed Levett’s growing interest in postwar and contemporary art, particularly the work of female artists, which he found to be undervalued in the art market​​​. It showcases a diverse collection of over a hundred artworks, including paintings, sculptures, and photographs from approximately 90 artists worldwide ; Berthe Morisot, Mary Cassatt, Leonora Carrington, Joan Mitchell, Lee Krasner, Alice Neel, Marina Abramović, Frida Kahlo, Tracey Emin, Jenny Saville, Sarah Lucas to mention but a few. The museum's collection spans several major artistic movements, from Impressionism to contemporary art.[1]

Collection Overview

Originally founded in 2011 as the Musée d'Art Classique de Mougins, the museum initially showcased Levett’s collection of antiquities, including Egyptian, Greek, and Roman artefacts. However, as Levett’s interests shifted towards modern and contemporary art, particularly the work of female artists, he decided to transform the museum. Much of the classical collection was sold, and the museum was rebranded as FAMM​.

The museum is situated in the village of Mougins, known for its artistic heritage. Pablo Picasso spent the last years of his life in Mougins, and the village has long attracted artists and intellectuals. Levett chose this location to establish his museum due to its cultural significance and scenic setting​​.

Museum Evolution and Location

Originally founded in 2011 as the Musée d'Art Classique de Mougins, the museum initially showcased Levett’s collection of antiquities, including Egyptian, Greek, and Roman artefacts. However, as Levett’s interests shifted towards modern and contemporary art, particularly the work of female artists, he decided to transform the museum. Much of the classical collection was sold, and the museum was rebranded as FAMM​.

The museum is situated in the village of Mougins, known for its artistic heritage. Pablo Picasso spent the last years of his life in Mougins, and the village has long attracted artists and intellectuals. Levett chose this location to establish his museum due to its cultural significance and scenic setting​​.

Focus on Female Artists

Levett’s focus on female artists was driven by his realisation that works by women were often priced significantly lower than those by men, despite their artistic significance. This imbalance in the market allowed Levett to build a collection of museum-quality works by female artists. The museum showcases a history of female art across different movements, contributing to efforts to redress the historical underrepresentation of women in art history and museum collections​​​.

Christian Levett: Founder and Collector

Christian Levett is a former hedge fund manager who transitioned to full-time art collecting in the mid-1990s. Initially focused on antiquities, his collecting interests gradually expanded to include postwar and contemporary art, particularly works by women. Levett has also been active in supporting exhibitions and educational initiatives in the art world, including sponsoring major shows at institutions such as the British Museum and Tate Britain​.