ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Paris Gets Its First Dedicated Graphic Design Gallery: Anatome

exhibition · 2026-04-23

Opened in September 1999, Galerie Anatome became the first exhibition space for graphic design in France, located in the 11th arrondissement of Paris. Under the direction of Marie-Anne Couvreu, the gallery hosts four exhibitions each year, featuring monographic displays of designers such as Philippe Apeloig and Étienne Robial. This private art center, supported by a communication agency, includes a specialized bookstore, a documentary archive, discussions, and a website dedicated to international graphic design. Its educational initiatives engage around 150 school groups per exhibition. A review notes the significant role of posters in the exhibitions and commends the Robial retrospective for highlighting his contributions to Canal+ and Futuropolis, along with mentioning a Savignac retrospective and an upcoming show by the École cantonale d'art de Lausanne.

Key facts

  • Galerie Anatome opened in September 1999 in Paris's 11th arrondissement.
  • It is France's first dedicated graphic design exhibition space.
  • The gallery operates as a private art center through patronage, not commercial sales.
  • Marie-Anne Couvreu is the director.
  • Half of the annual exhibitions are monographic, featuring designers like Philippe Apeloig and Étienne Robial.
  • 150 school groups visit per exhibition, highlighting the educational focus.
  • The gallery includes a bookstore (with La Hune), archive, talks, and a website.
  • A retrospective of Étienne Robial, curated by Michel Wlassikoff, covered his work for Canal+ and Futuropolis.
  • The article also references a Savignac show at Bibliothèque Forney and an École cantonale d'art de Lausanne exhibition at Centre culturel suisse.
  • Pierre Di Sciullo curated the web portal 'Mon beau pays' of French graphic design sites.

Entities

Artists

  • Philippe Apeloig
  • Étienne Robial
  • Michel Wlassikoff
  • Pierre Di Sciullo
  • Ruedi Baur
  • Savignac

Institutions

  • Galerie Anatome
  • La Hune
  • Bibliothèque Forney
  • Centre culturel suisse
  • École cantonale d'art de Lausanne
  • Futuropolis
  • Canal+
  • Galerie Projets
  • Galerie 90°
  • Musée du Louvre
  • Musée d'Orsay
  • Festival de danse de Normandie
  • Fête du livre à Aix

Locations

  • Paris
  • France
  • 11e arrondissement
  • 38 rue Sedaine
  • Villeurbanne
  • Bordeaux
  • Lausanne
  • Switzerland
  • Normandy
  • Aix

Sources