Musée Cognacq-Jay Presents 'Révéler le féminin' Exhibition on 18th-Century Femininity
From March 25 to September 20, 2026, the Musée Cognacq-Jay in Paris will present 'Révéler le féminin. Mode et Apparences au XVIIIe siècle,' which delves into the concept of femininity during the Enlightenment era. This exhibition aligns with a wider initiative in spring 2026, featuring concurrent displays at the Palais Galliera and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs. It investigates femininity through various mediums, including clothing, accessories, portraits, and porcelain, showcasing the emergence of French fashion across Europe. Noteworthy pieces include a mantlet, a restored robe, and portraits by Louis-Lié Périn-Salbreux and Jean-Charles Nicaise Perrin. The exhibition also reflects new sensibilities shaped by Rousseau, highlighting genres like the galante scene and pastorale, with works by artists such as Watteau and Boucher.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Révéler le féminin. Mode et Apparences au XVIIIe siècle' runs from March 25 to September 20, 2026.
- Located at Musée Cognacq-Jay, 8 rue Elzévir, 75003 Paris.
- Explores 18th-century femininity through clothing, portraits, accessories, and porcelain.
- Part of a spring 2026 trend with parallel shows at Palais Galliera and Musée des Arts Décoratifs.
- Includes contemporary counterpoint with Karl Lagerfeld haute couture for Chanel.
- Features five thematic sections examining the 'art of appearing' and social shifts.
- Highlights French style's European influence and bourgeois rivalry with aristocracy.
- Presents works by Watteau, Pater, Lancret, Boucher, Lépicié, Perrin, and Périn-Salbreux.
Entities
Artists
- Karl Lagerfeld
- Watteau
- Pater
- Lancret
- Boucher
- Nicolas-Bernard Lépicié
- Jean-Charles Nicaise Perrin
- Louis-Lié Périn-Salbreux
- Marie-Thérèse de Savoie
- Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun
- Maurice Quentin de La Tour
- Lié Louis Périn-Salbreux
- Valérie Belin
- Esther Ségal
- Marion Krauze
- Saskia Ooms
- Pascale Gorguet Ballesteros
- Adeline Collange-Perugi
- Élisabeth Santacreu
- Olympe Lemut
- Christine Coste
- Nan Goldin
- Paul Guillaume
- Albert Barnes
- Henri Rousseau
Institutions
- Musée Cognacq-Jay
- Palais Galliera
- Musée des Arts Décoratifs
- Chanel
- La Samaritaine
- Paris Musées
- Musée de Valenciennes
- Connaissance des Arts
- Musée d'arts de Nantes
- Le Journal des Arts
- Louvre-Lens
- Musée Jacquemart-André
- Hispanic Society of America
- Grand Palais
- Chapelle Saint-Louis de la Salpêtrière
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Valenciennes
- Nantes
- New York
- United States