Augustin Rouart “Le Nageur” – Petit Palais / © Ville de Paris
The conversation between art and sport is almost as old as these disciplines themselves. This Olympic year offers a unique opportunity for Parisian museums to immerse themselves in this dialogue with themed journeys through their collections, special exhibitions, and artist showcases. Under the banner of “Paris Musées Celebrate the Games,” you are invited to explore the fusion of art and sport.
Olympic Flame and Parisian Museums: A Symbolic Journey
On July 14, the Olympic flame will pass through three iconic Parisian museums: the Carnavalet Museum, the Victor Hugo House, and the Petit Palais. This symbolic journey underscores the city’s commitment to celebrating the shared values of art and sport, such as generosity, solidarity, accessibility, and universality.
Exhibitions Highlighting the Intersection of Art and Sport
Beyond the Olympic flame’s journey, Parisian museums are hosting various programs that tell the story of sport and Olympism in unique ways. Here’s a look at some of the key exhibitions:
Palais Galliera: “Moving Fashion” – April 20, 2024, to January 5, 2025
The Palais Galliera will present the second part of its “Moving Fashion” exhibition, showcasing over 250 new pieces that trace the role of clothing in physical and sporting activities throughout history. The exhibition includes a special focus on swimwear and bathing, featuring pieces rarely seen by the public.
Maison Victor Hugo: “Victor Hugo Fencing” – April 25 to September 8, 2024
From April 25, the Maison Victor Hugo will join the Olympic celebrations by highlighting the Hugo family’s fencing artifacts. This exhibition recalls Victor Hugo’s great battles and the universal values he championed, which align with the values of Olympism. The museum will also host the Olympic flame.
Carnavalet Museum: “The Carnavalet Museum Takes Part in the Games” – April 30 to October 31, 2024
For the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Carnavalet Museum is showcasing more than 70 works from its permanent collections related to Olympic disciplines and sporting activities. The selection includes paintings, photographs, objects, medals, drawings, stamps, and posters. The museum will also host the Olympic flame.
Petit Palais: “The Moving Body” – May 15 to November 17, 2024
“The Moving Body” at the Petit Palais explores sport and the human body through nearly 50 works from the museum’s collections, spanning from antiquity to the early 20th century. The exhibition includes representations of athletes on ancient vases, dance, the heroic body, and women in sport. Videos of athletes sharing their views on these works enrich this unprecedented journey.
Petit Palais: “We Are Here” – June 12 to mid-November 2024
Thirteen major street artists, including Shepard Fairey and Invader, will present monumental works at the Petit Palais. This exhibition, titled “We Are Here,” features over 200 works displayed in a single room, highlighting the visibility and legitimacy of the street art movement.
Museum of Romantic Life: “Géricault’s Horses” – May 15 to September 15, 2024
Marking the bicentenary of Théodore Géricault’s death, the Museum of Romantic Life is presenting an exhibition dedicated to the horse, a recurring motif in the artist’s work. The exhibition features around 100 exceptional works, offering a new perspective on this Romantic painter through the equestrian theme.
Zadkine Museum: “Sculpture is a Combat Sport” – May 14 to September 22, 2024
From May 14 to September 22, the Zadkine Museum will host “Sculpture is a Combat Sport,” an exhibition that presents a selection of Ossip Zadkine’s works on the theme of sport and the moving body. The exhibition includes rare and magnificent gouaches.
Engage with the Fusion of Art and Sport
These exhibitions and events invite you to explore the deep connection between art and sport, offering fresh perspectives on both fields. As Paris prepares to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, these cultural programs celebrate the universal values shared by art and sport.
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