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Africa Fashion
- Musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac, Paris
31 Mar - 12 Jul 2026
From€14.00
Recommended
From
€14.00
The exhibition 1913–1923: The Spirit of the Times at the Musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac offers a profound exploration of a transformative decade that fundamentally altered the trajectory of Western art. This curatorial journey retraces the pivotal moment when objects from Africa and Oceania, once relegated to the status of ethnographic curiosities, were recognized as masterpieces of non-Western art. By examining the vibrant intellectual and artistic landscape of early 20th-century Paris, particularly within the Montparnasse district, the showcase illuminates how a new vision of modern art emerged from the encounter between avant-garde experimentation and non-European aesthetics.
Central to this narrative is the influence of visionary art dealers and collectors such as Paul Guillaume, Joseph Brummer, and Charles Vignier, who acted as catalysts for this cultural shift. Their commitment, alongside the intellectual fervor of poets like Guillaume Apollinaire, ignited the imaginations of legendary artists including Picasso, Matisse, Derain, and Vlaminck. Through a meticulous selection of sculptures, archive documents, and vintage photographs, the exhibition recreates the atmosphere of landmark events like the 1913 exhibition at Galerie Levesque and the 1916 Lyre et Palette show, which challenged traditional European canons and introduced a radical new formal language.
The emotional resonance of the exhibition lies in its ability to evoke the "shock of the new" that these works once inspired. Masterpieces such as the Reliquary guardian statue (Mbulu ngulu) from Gabon and the striking Anthropomorphic statues from Nigeria stand as testaments to the sophisticated creative power of their makers. These objects did more than just provide a new aesthetic for the avant-garde; they redirected the course of art history, fostering a dialogue across cultures that remains vital today. By highlighting the emergence of a new sector on the international art market, the curation underscores how this decade established the foundation for our contemporary appreciation of global artistic heritage.
Ultimately, this journey through the Spirit of the Age serves as both a historical record and a celebration of human creativity. It confronts the complexities of the colonial era and the vocabulary of the time, while simultaneously honoring the artists who bridged the gap between continents. By placing these "extraordinary objects" in conversation with the works of the French avant-garde, the Musée du quai Branly successfully captures the electricity of a period when the world was being re-imagined through a truly universal lens of artistic purpose.
Highlights
- View a curated dialogue of archival documents and masterpieces that capture the shift of tribal objects into the modern art vanguard.
- Discover a 19th-century Anthropomorphic statue from Nigeria that exemplifies the artistry of African cultures.
- Explore the influential role of avant-garde figures like Picasso, Matisse, and Derain in redefining Western aesthetics.
- See a rare ngon ntang anthropomorphic mask that showcases the intricate carving traditions of non-Western art.
- Examine historical photographs from iconic galleries like Galerie Levesque and Lyre et Palette that first showcased these works.
- Relive the artistic atmosphere of the Montparnasse district during the decade that transformed the international art market.
Frequently Asked Questions about 1913-1923: The Spirit of The Times
Yes, access to temporary exhibitions at the Musée du Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac is typically included with the purchase of a standard museum admission ticket.
Visitors generally spend about 1 hour exploring this specific exhibition, though you may want to allow more time to see the rest of the museum's permanent collections.
Photography and filming for private use are permitted without flash, tripods, or selfie sticks, unless otherwise indicated for specific loaned masterpieces.
Yes, the Musée du Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac is fully accessible, and elevators are available to reach the various exhibition levels.
The museum regularly offers guided tours and workshops; it is recommended to check the official daily schedule upon arrival or on the museum's website.
Large bags and umbrellas are not allowed in the galleries; you must leave them in the free self-service lockers or at the cloakroom near the entrance.
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