In Colour: Polychrome Sculpture in France 1850-1910

Polychrome sculpture is an element of 19th art that often goes by unnoticed. Visitors and curators are still primarily drawn to the classics of marble and bronze statues. They are the ultimate in taste and talent with the details of the pure white figures and the casting of the bronze. Yet, there were many artists that took a liking to polychrome sculpture. Artists including Degas, Jean-Léon Gérôme and Paul Gauguin played with colour on their sculptures – with mixed responses from critics and peers.

In Colour: Polychrome Sculpture in France 1850-1910 takes a look at this experimental phase and the effects achieved. The exhibition includes around fifty pieces from the Musée d’Orsay’s own collection. This is the perfect chance to see the colour, textures, and effects created by these creative artists. Viewers can compare the look of the enamels against the painted waxes to see if these masters really did capture their subjects with illusionism intended.

The show runs from the 12th of June until the 9th of September.