Centre Pompidou-Metz to Show Overlooked Modernist Séraphine Louis in Major Retrospective

The Centre Pompidou-Metz will present a major retrospective of Séraphine Louis, a self-taught French painter long marginalized by art history, from October 31, 2026, to April 12, 2027. Titled "Séraphine Louis. De Senlis et sans rivale," the exhibition brings together more than eighty works and aims to reposition the artist within the major currents of modernism, moving beyond labels such as "naïve" or "primitive modern." The show traces her career, highlighting her relationship with German collector and critic Wilhelm Uhde, whose financial support enabled her to pursue ambitious formats. It opens with six "giant canvases" from 1928–1930, drawn from collections including the Centre Pompidou, MoMA, the Musée d'Art et d'Archéologie de Senlis, and the Musée Maillol. The exhibition explores themes of spirituality, color, and botanical influence, emphasizing the monumental and ornamental qualities of her work. It also challenges the myth of the "cursed artist," focusing instead on her determination and artistic agency. The retrospective follows previous Pompidou-Metz shows devoted to overlooked women artists such as Suzanne Valadon, Eva Aeppli, and Louise Nevelson.