In Memoriam: Sylvain Amic (1967–2025)
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Sylvain Amic, the esteemed director of both the Musée d’Orsay and Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris, who died suddenly at the age of 58 on August 31, 2025, while on holiday in southern France. His unexpected departure has left the cultural world and the broader public in profound grief.
A Trailblazing Career Devoted to Cultural Access
Born on April 26, 1967 in Dakar, Senegal, to teacher parents, Amic began his professional journey as a schoolteacher before embracing his true calling in art and heritage. After earning a degree in art history, he passed the competitive national heritage exam in 1997 and began his career as a curator.
He served at Musée Fabre in Montpellier, where he helped guide major renovations and expanded its contemporary offerings. In 2011, he took leadership of Rouen’s municipal museums and later oversaw the newly created network of 11 museums in the metropolitan area. Between 2022 and 2024, Amic served as an advisor to the French Ministry of Culture, contributing to policies related to looted art restitution and museum operations.
In April 2024, fulfilling what he described as “the dream of his life,” Amic was appointed head of the Musée d’Orsay and Musée de l’Orangerie.
Visionary Leadership and Democratic Engagement with Art
As a curator and leader, Amic believed deeply in democratizing culture. He championed initiatives to make art more accessible to wider audiences especially young people and to decentralize art beyond Paris’s city center. His tenure saw record-breaking visitor numbers at Orsay, with nearly 4.9 million guests in 2024, and he was dedicated to improving the institution’s entrance and public experience.
Tributes and Mourning
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his shock, praising Amic’s belief in “the universal empowerment of culture” from Manet to Soulages. The Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, paid tribute to his “open spirit,” describing him as a warm and attentive figure committed to making culture universal, and lamented the profound expertise and public service France had lost.
Dr. Sylvain Amic’s legacy is one of passionate stewardship, progressive vision, and unwavering dedication to serving the public through art. While his tenure at Orsay and Orangerie was brief, his impact reverberated across France’s cultural institutions. May his memory continue to guide the principles of inclusivity and shared heritage in the arts.
