Intimate Henner, the man behind the artist: the exhibition at the Musée Jean-Jacques Henner

In Paris, the Musée Jean-Jacques Henner presents works by the Alsatian painter, recalling his rich career and influence... But behind these canvases lies a man of many facets. From May 17 to October 13 2025, the museum invites us to discover theman behind the artist, with the exhibition Henner intime.

For this exhibition, numerous personal objects, photographs, manuscripts and paintings have been brought together in a thematic tour. Step by step, we learn more about this 19th-century man, his passions, his entourage and his history.

The first part of the exhibition features everyday objects that once belonged to the painter. These little pieces of life were recovered from the artist's studio just after his death. Cigar and pipe cases, eyeglasses, seals and, above all, diaries, letters and notebooks reveal more about the man's daily life, his schedule and social outings, his thoughts and his vision of the world.

Although he spent much of his life in Paris, Jean-Jacques Henner never forgot his origins and his native village, Bernwiller, in Alsace. The painter had his own house built there, and regularly went there to recharge his batteries. On view are various black-and-white photographs of the house and its surroundings, private images of the artist and his loved ones in his refuge.

These photographs reveal not only the people around Henner, but also the painter himself. We discover the artist's love of nature. Fields, forests, ponds, animals: Jean-Jacques Henner takes care of his little world, and stays as close as possible to the nature that fascinates him. In his notebooks as in his paintings, we find this passion for the living world, both plant and animal.

The exhibition focuses on Jean-Jacques Henner's family: his farming parents, brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces... The painter loved his family deeply, a tragic love that made the premature death of many of them even harder. These losses left a deep mark on the man, helping to shape his character, his vision of the world and his art.

Henner was described as reserved and quiet, but very kind and often funny. According to his contemporaries, his robust physique was reminiscent of his rustic origins. This appearance can contrast with the finesse of his painting. Thanks to a number of photographs and self-portraits, the museum shows us the artist's physical evolution throughout his life.

An exhibition that should prove fascinating for lovers of this painter. See it in Paris in fine weather!