Centre Pompidou
The Centre Pompidou is dedicating a retrospective to Suzanne Valadon (1865–1938), a key figure of modern art, from January 15 to May 26, 2025. This exhibition highlights the unique journey of this bold artist, who broke free from the conventions of her time to assert a distinctive artistic vision.
Born Marie-Clémentine Valadon, Suzanne began her career as a model for renowned painters such as Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Her immersion in the Parisian art world at the end of the 19th century fueled her passion for painting and drawing, disciplines in which she quickly stood out with a personal and innovative style.
The exhibition brings together nearly two hundred works, primarily paintings and drawings, from prestigious collections such as those of the Centre Pompidou, the Musée d'Orsay, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the Fondation de l’Hermitage. This rich and varied presentation offers insight into Valadon’s artistic evolution, from her early works to her major compositions. Particularly renowned for her nudes, Suzanne Valadon approached the human body with a frankness and lack of artifice that was remarkable for her time. She was notably the first female artist to depict a full-frontal male nude on a large scale, thereby challenging the artistic and societal norms of her era. Her works reflect a sincere and direct approach, far from voyeurism, placing reality at the heart of her creative process.
The exhibition also sheds light on Valadon’s relationships with other artistic figures of Montmartre, as well as her influence on the Parisian art scene. Previously unseen archives and personal documents enrich this retrospective, offering visitors an immersive experience into the world of this extraordinary artist. By rediscovering the work of Suzanne Valadon, the Centre Pompidou pays tribute to an artist whose modernity and independence continue to inspire and resonate within today’s artistic landscape.