The practice of sport has not always been open to all, or even encouraged. From the 19th century onwards, sport gradually became more democratic in Europe, evolving from an elitist art form to a spectacular health practice and then mass leisure activity. Artists have chronicled this transition, documenting different sporting practices through their paintings, sculptures and drawings...
In this Olympic year in Paris, the Musée Marmottan-Monet has turned its attention to this very special subject: from April 4 to September 1, 2024, the institution presents the exhibition En jeu! Artists and Sport. More than 160 works are brought together to cover this vast subject.
From 1870 to 1930, the greatest names in art were inspired by sportsmen and women and their disciplines. Works by Monet, Degas, Rodin, Toulouse-Lautrec, Caillebotte, Maillol, Sisley, Bourdelle, Richer, Delaunay, Bellows... are on display. Some of the pieces on display are usually kept in private collections, so this is a unique opportunity to admire the creations of these renowned artists. Numerous paintings are highlighted, as well as posters, sculptures, caricatures and drawings, objets d'art...
Techniques, artistic movements, eras: the exhibition brings together very different artists working on the same theme. Movements on a still image, evolution, the delicacy of bodies and muscles, the social norms surrounding these sporting practices, the figure of the athlete: these subjects fascinated painters and sculptors.
As the modern Olympic Games were born under the leadership of Pierre de Coubertin, the image of sport evolved: wrestling, boxing and ball games found themselves on an equal footing with equestrianism, fencing and sailing. The social classes gradually came together in these events, which brought crowds together and aroused such strong emotions.
Through sport, society reveals itself, and these changes, as much as the sports themselves, fascinate artists. Aesthetics and performance can be found on the sports field as well as on the canvas.
The exhibition tells the story of the evolution of sport, practices, techniques and the interests of Europeans. Competition gave way to leisure, while the development of transport and longer vacations enabled people to go to the seaside or the mountains... The Musée Marmottan-Monet offers an itinerary as aesthetic as it is interesting.
Come and discover the exhibition at the Musée Marmottan-Monet in the summertime.
Dates and Opening Time
From April 4th, 2024 to September 1st, 2024
Location
Musée Marmottan-Monet
2, rue Louis Boilly
75116 Paris 16
Prices
Moins de 7 ans: Free
Tarif réduit: €9
Plein tarif: €14
Official website
www.marmottan.fr
