When the Fondation Vuitton staged the great Shchukin exhibition, one name was on everyone's lips: Paul Gauguin (1848-1903). It was indeed a shock to discover, side by side, several of his most emblematic canvases, and to see how formidably seductive the colors chosen were, how harmonious his drawing was; Matisse and Picasso almost paled next to such genius (!).
The Grand Palais therefore delights Paul Gauguin enthusiasts with a gigantic retrospective that explores the full range of the artist's talents, making him an alchemist who was already pushing back the boundaries of the use of mediums.
Presented chronologically, the exhibition benefits from numerous prestigious loans and describes the artist's career from his artistic awakening in Brittany, with a nod to his masters, Degas and Pissarro, from whom he retained the pleasure of painting the dancers and landscapes of Brittany, to his journeys to Tahiti, Martinique and the Marquesas Islands, where he discovered the richness of a sensual, philosophical nature.
The large rooms of the Grand Palais lend themselves easily to this maze of works, this life rich in learning and pleasure, and unveil Gauguin's artistic and personal universe in his quest for total art... Over nearly 3 floors, 250 works by Paul Gauguin make up a very fine retrospective, quite complete, especially thanks to the audioguide.
In 1901, Gauguin escaped the "inhabited" world and went into exile in the remote Marquesas archipelago, where he built a "Maison du Jouir", a building inspired by Maori houses, with beautiful symmetry and feminine motifs on the front, which welcomes us with the maxims "Soyez amoureuses, vous serez heureux" and "Soyez mystérieuses".
You'll come away amazed by the materials used, the carved and painted wood, the vivid colors that burst forth in this unique opportunity to enter the artist's intimate world, and by the history of the Tahitian civilization he adopted, a Parisian by birth!
Practical information:
Gauguinthe alchemist at the Grand Palais
From October 11, 2017 to January 22, 2018
Open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. except Tuesdays, nocturne Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Prices: €14 (full), €10 (reduced), family pass €38 - book online
Please note that it's been over 4 years since our last visit, so the place and experience may have changed.
Dates and Opening Time
From October 11, 2017 to January 22, 2018
Location
Grand Palais
3 Avenue du Général Eisenhower
75008 Paris 8
Access
M° Champs-Elysées Clemenceau
Prices
tarif réduit: €10
tarif plein: €14
Recommended age
For all
Official website
www.grandpalais.fr
More information
Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. except Tuesdays, nocturne Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
