Rain as Muse: Rouen Exhibition Traces Monet to Photography

The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen presents 'Sous la pluie, peindre, vivre et rêver', an exhibition exploring rain as a source of artistic inspiration from the late 18th century to contemporary photography. Running from April 11 to September 20, 2026, the show features works by Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, Paul Sérusier, James Tissot, Gustave Caillebotte, and Japanese printmaker Hokusai, among others. The exhibition traces how rain evolved from a romantic symbol of inner turmoil to a modern motif reflecting urban life, with the industrial revolution bringing umbrellas into cityscapes. Photographers capture rain's atmospheric effects on platinum paper, and the experience culminates in a cinematic and sound immersion. The exhibition is curated from the museum's collection and loans, including a 1915 work by Friedrich Capelari from the British Museum. It highlights rain's enduring fascination for creators, as noted in the museum's announcement. The show is featured in Beaux Arts Magazine's summer double issue.