Blockbuster Dialogue Exhibitions at Musée d'Orsay and Tate Modern Redefine Artistic Pairings
Two significant exhibitions are redefining traditional art narratives. At the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, 'Manet/Degas' delves into the connection between Édouard Manet and Edgar Degas, beginning with Degas's portrait of Manet's wife, which Manet famously sliced in half. Meanwhile, Tate Modern in London presents 'Hilma af Klint & Piet Mondrian: Forms of Life,' showcasing two abstract artists who, despite never meeting, were united by their interests in Theosophy and nature. The Orsay display juxtaposes artworks for immediate comparison, while Tate places them on opposing walls. These exhibitions follow previous ones like 'Monet-Mitchell' and 'Dawoud Bey & Carrie Mae Weems: In Dialogue,' encouraging a fresh perspective on how relational exhibitions can reinterpret historical figures for modern viewers.
Key facts
- The Musée d'Orsay in Paris is hosting 'Manet/Degas', exploring the relationship between Édouard Manet (born 1832) and Edgar Degas (born 1834).
- Tate Modern in London presents 'Hilma af Klint & Piet Mondrian: Forms of Life', pairing two early European abstract painters.
- Manet cut Degas's portrait of his wife in half after receiving it, an act never explained by the artist.
- Both af Klint and Mondrian were influenced by Theosophy, with af Klint considering herself a medium.
- The Musée d'Orsay exhibition intersperses works by both artists, while Tate Modern displays them on separate walls.
- Af Klint's will stipulated her works remain hidden for twenty years after her death, affecting her recognition.
- The Guggenheim Museum's 2018 exhibition of af Klint's work significantly boosted her reputation.
- Recent dialogue exhibitions include 'Monet-Mitchell' at Fondation Louis Vuitton and 'Dawoud Bey & Carrie Mae Weems: In Dialogue' at the Getty Museum.
Entities
Artists
- Édouard Manet
- Edgar Degas
- Hilma af Klint
- Piet Mondrian
- Claude Monet
- Joan Mitchell
- Dawoud Bey
- Carrie Mae Weems
Institutions
- Musée d'Orsay
- Tate Modern
- Fondation Louis Vuitton
- Getty Museum
- Guggenheim Museum
Locations
- Paris
- France
- London
- United Kingdom
- Sweden
- Netherlands