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- Musée des Arts et Métiers, Paris
14 Oct - 17 May 2026
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The retrospective exhibition Adya & Otto van Rees: At the Heart of the Avant-Garde at the Musée de Montmartre offers a profound exploration of a pioneering artist couple whose work was central to the early 20th-century European art scene. This first French retrospective rehabilitates their legacy, tracing a journey that began at the legendary Bateau-Lavoir in 1904. There, they integrated into a vibrant circle of modernists including Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque, and Piet Mondrian. The curatorial narrative highlights their remarkable stylistic fluidity, moving seamlessly through Divisionism, Cloisonnism, and Cubism before arriving at some of the earliest expressions of Abstraction in Europe.
At the core of the exhibition is the exceptional contribution of Adya van Rees-Dutilh, a visionary who bridged the gap between traditional craft and high modernism. She is celebrated here as a pioneer of avant-garde textile arts, having transformed embroidery into a medium of radical experimentation. Key works such as her abstract wool tapestries and the monumental embroidery Dieu avertit (1929) demonstrate her ability to incorporate rhythm and geometric abstraction into tactile forms. Her subversive power is exemplified by the historical anecdote of her work Le Transsibérien, which was famously attacked with a knife at the Salon des Indépendants—a testament to the challenging nature of her artistic vision.
The exhibition also illuminates the career of Otto van Rees, whose painting evolved from the luminous techniques of Divisionism to dynamic, colorful Cubist compositions. His involvement in the founding of the Dada movement in Zurich and the Cercle et Carré group underscores his international significance. Masterpieces such as La Broderie rouge (1910) and his series of Cubist landscapes reflect a constant formal search for freedom and innovation. By presenting their work chronologically, the curators reveal a fruitful artistic dialogue where personal life and creative practice were inextricably linked, allowing the couple to maintain a unique identity within the broader avant-garde movements.
The emotional resonance of the showcase is deeply rooted in the "intimate storytelling" that binds the artworks together. The exhibition does not shy away from the tragedies that shaped their output, most notably the 1919 train accident that claimed their eldest daughter’s life. This loss prompted a shift toward more expressive and traditional styles, including moving portraits and still lifes. Ultimately, the Musée de Montmartre succeeds in presenting Adya and Otto van Rees not just as historical figures, but as a living archive of human development, where collective joy, family trials, and bold experimentation converge to define the very spirit of modern art.
Highlights
- Discover a hundred rare works including paintings, sculptures, and avant-garde textiles by Adya and Otto van Rees for the first time in France.
- Admire Adya van Rees-Dutilh's pioneering modern textile art, including her exceptional wool embroidery Madonna and child.
- Explore Otto van Rees's evolution through early 20th-century modernism with his colorful cubist masterpiece Composition with bottle and pipe.
- Trace the couple's intimate history and their interactions with titans like Picasso and Mondrian at the legendary Bateau-Lavoir.
- Experience the emotional shift in their artistic style following the 1919 family tragedy through their expressive later portraits and still lifes.
- View rare loans from prestigious Dutch and Swiss collections that highlight the duo's significant contribution to the Dada movement.
Frequently Asked Questions about Adya & Otto Van Rees: At the Heart of the Avant-Garde
Yes, access to 'At the Heart of the Avant-Garde' is included in the general admission ticket for the Musée de Montmartre, which also grants access to the permanent collections and the Renoir Gardens.
A self-guided tour of the exhibition typically takes between 45 and 60 minutes, though you may wish to stay longer to enjoy the rest of the museum and its gardens.
Photography for personal, non-commercial use is allowed without flash, provided it does not interfere with the viewing experience of other visitors.
While the Musée de Montmartre is a historic site with some constraints, the temporary exhibition spaces are generally accessible via elevator; however, it is recommended to contact the museum in advance for specific assistance.
The retrospective showcases a hundred rare works, including oil paintings, sculptures, and avant-garde textiles created by the pioneering duo.
Yes, the exhibition is open to all ages and provides a colorful and diverse look at modern art history that can be enjoyed by families.
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