Gustave Moreau: the Middle Ages rediscovered, the exhibition on the painter's medieval inspirations

If you haven't yet discovered this hidden gem, this new exhibition is the perfect opportunity to visit the Gustave Moreau Museum and learn more about this little-known painter. From November 15, 2023 to February 12, 2024, immerse yourself in the inspirations of this great art lover, through his interest in the medieval period, then very much in vogue in the 19th century. Some of his works, such as Les Chimères and Les Licornes, contributed to the resurrection of the Middle Ages in art, with their divine or religious aspects.

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For the occasion, paintings, watercolors and drawings are exceptionally brought out of the museum's reserves, to accompany photographs, prints, books and objets d'art, notably from the Louvre and the BnF. These new displays embellish the initial layout, unchanged since the museum opened in January 1903. During his lifetime, Gustave Moreau wished to turn the museum into a veritable house-museum, in order to leave his mark on it before bequeathing it to the French state. He himself chose the works to be exhibited, but there was no precise chronological or thematic sequence.

Thanks to this temporary exhibition, new elements are presented to the public, and the painter's creative process is dissected, through his sources of inspiration. From his romantic paintings, inspired by Shakespeare, to his latest works, the medieval period has always had a real impact on his work, clearly visible in the canvases, which you can observe at your leisure!

The Musée Gustave Moreau, the painter's timeless home and studio in Paris
The Musée Gustave Moreau is a confidential Parisian museum nestled in the 9th arrondissement, where you can visit the artist's apartment and studio, and admire his famous staircase and numerous works of the Symbolist movement. [Read more]