Centre Pompidou Highlights: From Duchamp to Soulages
The Centre Pompidou, the largest modern and contemporary art museum in Europe located in Paris, is currently undergoing renovations. Upon its reopening, guests will have the opportunity to admire renowned pieces from its extensive collection of over 140,000 items, although exhibitions will change periodically. Opened in 1977 and designed by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, the building is an architectural landmark with its distinctive color-coded pipes. Notable works include Jean Tinguely and Niki de Saint Phalle's Stravinsky Fountain (1983), Marcel Duchamp's controversial 'Fountain' (1917, 1964 replica), and Picasso's stolen and later recovered 'La Coiffeuse' (1911). Visitors can also enjoy stunning views of Paris from the museum's uppermost floor.
Key facts
- Centre Pompidou is Europe's largest modern and contemporary art museum.
- The building was designed by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, opened in 1977.
- External pipes are color-coded: blue for air, green for water, yellow for electricity, red for movement.
- Stravinsky Fountain was created in 1983 by Jean Tinguely and Niki de Saint Phalle.
- Duchamp's 'Fountain' (1917) is a porcelain urinal signed 'R. Mutt'; the original was lost, replicas exist.
- Franz Marc co-founded Der Blaue Reiter with Kandinsky; he died in 1916 at age 36.
- Picasso's 'La Coiffeuse' was stolen in 2001 and returned to France in 2015.
- Pierre Soulages lived to 102; his birthplace Rodez has a museum dedicated to his work.
Entities
Artists
- Renzo Piano
- Richard Rogers
- Jean Tinguely
- Niki de Saint Phalle
- Igor Stravinsky
- Marcel Duchamp
- Franz Marc
- Wassily Kandinsky
- Fernand Léger
- Henri Matisse
- Jackson Pollock
- Pablo Picasso
- Pierre Soulages
- Joseph Kosuth
- Tracey Emin
- Maurizio Cattelan
Institutions
- Centre Pompidou
- Der Blaue Reiter
- Musée de la Cour d'Or
- Tate Modern
Locations
- Paris
- France
- New York
- Nice
- Verdun
- Rodez
- Metz