Facing the sky, Paul Huet in his time: the reopening exhibition of the Musée de la Vie Romantique

He was a contemporary of Watteau, Delacroix, Boulanger, and Géricault, but he is unfairly less well known than these essential French artists. Yet his talent made him an important figure in the Romantic art scene. Discover the painter Paul Huet through the exhibition organized at the Musée de la Vie Romantique from February 14 to August 31, 2025.

The museum presentsFace au ciel, Paul Huet en son temps(Facing the Sky, Paul Huet inHis Time), an exhibition that focuses on skies, a specific motif in Paul Huet's painting. Considered a precursor of the Romantic landscape, Huet painted turbulent and expressive skies, symbols of an intense and dramatic artistic movement.

Trained by neoclassical painters, Paul Huet quickly turned away from the old model to play with contrasts, strong emotions, and the power of wild and untamed nature. Huet was inspired by English painters such as Turner and Constable, and specialized in romantic landscapes.

• To be read
• This week's top deals in Paris and Île-de-France, from December 22 to 28, 2025
• Free museums and landmarks: Must-visit sites this Sunday, January 4th, in Paris and Île-de-France
• Free museums and monuments in Paris and the Ile-de-France region: cultural tips

The paintings on display at the Musée de la Vie Romantique are representative of Romantic art: they depict a realistic but tormented nature, with eye-catching colors and lighting effects, and grandiose landscapes. Paul Huet accentuates these dramatic feelings through his skies, which are alternately turbulent, stormy, luminous, or peaceful.

The exhibition is rounded off with works by Théodore Rousseau, Eugène Delacroix, Paul Flandrin, and Gustave Courbet: the museum juxtaposes Paul Huet with his contemporary colleagues to better demonstrate the uniqueness of the French artist.

This exhibition opens its doors in early 2026, at the same time as the reopening of the Musée de la Vie Romantique: discover the changes and new features to see after more than a year of renovation work.

The Museum of Romantic Life is closed for renovation: find out the planned reopening date.
Here's some news that is likely to sadden lovers of Parisian museums: the Musée de la Vie Romantique is closing its doors for over a year to carry out restoration work. The museum is scheduled to reopen on February 14, 2026. [Read more]