Minister of Cultural Affairs
Fifty years ago, André Malraux was appointed Minister of Cultural Affairs. It was the first time that the cultural policies of France were entrusted to an autonomous minister. Previously, in 1937, Jean Zay had been appointed at the head of a ministry incorporating teaching and culture and in the 19th century, several key figures had played an influential role in the State's involvement in its cultural heritage and fine arts, notably Vivant Denon during the First Empire and Nieuwerkerke during the Second. Furthermore, the government of Emile Ollivier under Napoleon III had a "Minister of Fine Arts", Maurice Richard.