Exhibition at the Musée d'Orsay: Northern Light – Scandinavian and Dutch Drawings

The Musée d'Orsay, located in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, invites visitors on a delightful artistic journey northward with its latest exhibition, "Light of the North." Running from February 10 to May 10, 2026, the show showcases a curated selection of 19th-century Scandinavian and Dutch drawings from the museum’s own collection. An immersive experience into the poetic and luminous world of Northern Europe—just what you need during the depths of winter.

This exhibition highlights the museum's aim to expand its collection of works by international artists. It features recent acquisitions from Swedish and Dutch artists alongside pieces that have been part of the national collections for over a century. A captivating dialogue between the past and the present, bringing together renowned figures and lesser-known talents.

The Nordic Symbolist landscapes, long absent from drawing collections, now provide a striking counterpoint to the gentle domestic scenes of Carl Larsson and Peder Severin Krøyer. These artists mastered capturing the unique light of the North — that delicate clarity that dances between shadows and reflections. Their understated, refined strokes tell intimate stories, capturing moments suspended between reality and dreams.

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The exhibition also highlights lesser-known artists such as Carl Johan Forsberg and Philippe Smit, finally giving them a prominent spot alongside the more established names. It’s this very diversity that makes the show so captivating: visitors can explore the vibrant spectrum of Northern European drawing from the 19th century in all its variety.

Through the brushstrokes of these Nordic masters, light goes beyond mere depiction — it moves you. A shaft through a window, a reflection on snow, a face shrouded in shadow all weave an atmosphere that’s truly captivating. These artists turned drawing into an art of quietude, a space where gentleness gently emerges beneath the surface of discipline. Their world, bathed in mist and stillness, feels suspended — almost timeless.

Head over to the Graphic Arts Department at the Orsay Museum for an immersion into a world of purity and poetry. The exhibition is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with extended evening hours on Thursday until 9:45 p.m. The museum is located on the Valéry Giscard d'Estaing Esplanade in the 7th arrondissement, easily reachable via Metro line 12 at Solférino station. Tickets cost €16 for adults, €13 for reduced rates, and free for visitors under 26. You can book your tickets in advance online at the Orsay Museum ticketing website.

In short, if you're looking for a great cultural outing this winter, this exhibition provides a warm slice of Nordic serenity right in the heart of Paris. Featuring striking and luminous winter-themed displays, it's an ideal escape to keep dreaming through the coldest season.