Artcurial Turns Monaco Gardens into Open-Air Sculpture Museum for Seventh Edition

The Principality of Monaco will be transformed into an open-air sculpture museum with Artcurial's seventh edition of Monaco Sculptures, showcasing significant 20th- and 21st-century pieces. Scheduled for July 7, 2026, at Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo during Monaco Auction Week, the exhibition will continue until September 2026. In collaboration with Société de Bains de Mer, the event features César's renowned bronze thumb, Pouce (1965–1988, produced 2020), which stands nearly eleven-and-a-half feet tall. This piece was commissioned in 1965 by Parisian gallerist Claude Bernard for the exhibition “La Main, de Rodin à Picasso.” The auction will also honor Italian sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro (1926–2025) on his centenary, showcasing Cubo I (1964–1967). Other notable works include Lynn Chadwick's First Girl Sitting on Bench (1988–1989) and creations by Niki de Saint Phalle, Manolo Valdés, and Louis Cane, all aimed at enhancing public engagement with large-scale art.