Paul Troubetzkoy, a brilliant sculptor honored in an exhibition at the Musée d'Orsay - photos

Discover Paul Troubetzkoy, an artist with an exceptional life, through a new exhibition at the Musée d'Orsay. Join us from September 30, 2025 to January 11, 2026 to admire the exhibition dedicated to this extraordinary sculptor.

From the very first moments of his life, Paul Troubetzkoy stood out from the crowd. He was born in Italy in 1866, to an American pianist mother and a Russian father who was both a prince and a diplomat. The son of an illegitimate union and the fruit of an international love affair, he retained this multiple identity throughout his life. He traveled extensively, from Russia to the United States, via Italy, England and France, and enjoyed a fine reputation in all these countries.

Paul Troubetzkoy was a great sculptor of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Now largely forgotten, he is back in the spotlight thanks to an unprecedented retrospective at the Musée d'Orsay. From September 30, 2025 to January 11, 2026, don't miss the exhibition Paul Troubetzkoy, sculpteur.

This surprising artist was well known and appreciated during his lifetime: he distinguished himself in the art of sculpted portraiture, capturing his subjects, their expressions and their movements with striking realism. He immortalized the great figures of his time: authors such as Tolstoy, political figures such as Clémenceau, Tsar Alexander III, a young Franklin Roosevelt... His models included famous dancers, the first Hollywood movie stars, the Baroness de Rothschild and a certain Roland Garros...

Paul Troubetzkoy worked fast, creating striking, highly detailed sculptures. His style is highly recognizable, and he left his mark on his era. In particular, he rose to fame in Paris during the Belle Epoque, where he triumphed at the 1900 Universal Exhibition. He frequented the cultural and financial elite of 20th-century Western society.

Like many of his artist friends, the Italian sculptor was a vegetarian, and committed to animal protection. Many of his sculptures feature animals, especially dogs and horses, which are given pride of place in his compositions. This animal lover himself had several four-legged companions, to whom he imposed his vegetarian diet... With varying degrees of success.

The exhibition at the Musée d'Orsay looks back over the long and rich career of this international artist, his many relationships and his passions. A wide range of sculptures of various sizes, a few portraits and plaster casts show the sculptor's working process.

This exhibition at the Musée d'Orsay reveals a singular and talented artist who was ahead of his time. Lovers of sculpture, don't miss this rendez-vous with Paul Troubetzkoy, the prince sculptor.

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