In 2020, women are in the spotlight in Parisian museums

Among the major exhibitions programmed in Paris this year, several are devoted to female artists: women painters, sculptors, photographers, writers and designers who have marked their time and their art.

Maylis de Kerangal at the Musée d'Orsay

The author of the famous book ‘Heal the Living’ is offering 4 events throughout the year based on her works and those of the museum: Reading with music, a literary visit, a poetic journey, etc. It is the first time that the Musée d’Orsay has invited a contemporary writer.

 From 3 October 2019 to 27 February 2020 at the Musée d'Orsay

Barbara Hepworth at the Musée Rodin

The Rodin Museum has chosen to throw the spotlight on the work of Barbara Hepworth, a 20th century British sculptor who is unfortunately too little known in France.

 From 5 November 2019 to 22 March 2020 at the Musée Rodin

The Marquise Acornati Visconti at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs

The museum is paying tribute to one of their most important patrons: The Marquise Arconati Visconti, a wealthy heiress with a passion for the decorative arts, left around 100 works to the museum.

 From 13 December 2019 to 15 March 2020 at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs

Helena Rubinstein at the Musée du Quai Branly  - Jacques Chirac

Helena Rubinstein, founder of the famous cosmetics brand, was also a passionate art lover, particularly of African art. The Musée du Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac presents ‘Helena Rubinstein Madame’s Collection’, some 60 pieces reminding us that she was also an important patron and collector.

  From 19 November 2019 to 27 September 2020 at the musée du Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac

Claudia Andujar at the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain

This vast exhibition dedicated to the Brazilian photographer Claudia Andujar highlights both her art (more than 300 photographs) and her political commitment to the defence of the Amazon and the Yanomami Indians.

 From 30 January to 13 September 2020 at the Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain

Unica Zürn at the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire de l'Hôpital Sainte-Anne

The MAHHSA is gathering the works of the German artist Unica Zürn, including the drawings and paintings she made while in hospital, as well as pieces documenting her various stays, to discover the artistic approach of a woman with an extraordinary destiny.

 From 31 January to the 31 May2020 at the Musée d'art et d'Histoire de l’Hôpital Sainte-Anne.

Sarah Moon at the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris

The MAM celebrates the work of the French photographer Sarah Moon, famous mainly for her fashion photos taken in the 70s and 80s

From 18 September 2020 to 10 January 2021 at the Musée d'Art Moderne de la ville de Paris

Cindy Sherman at the Fondation Louis Vuitton

This major retrospective retraces the entire career of Cindy Sherman, a contemporary American photographer, from her first series of photographs to her most recent works.

 From 23 September 2020 to 3 January 2021 at the Fondation Louis Vuitton

Gabrielle Chanel at the Palais Galliera

The Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris opens in style with the ‘Gabrielle Chanel, Fashion Manifesto’ exhibition'. It is the first Parisian exhibition dedicated to the designer Gabrielle Chanel, a symbolic figure of French fashion.

 From 1 October 2020 to 14 March 2021 at the Palais Galliera

But rest assured, women will still be in the spotlight in 2021 and 2022, with Women Painters from 1780 and 1830 and the photographer Vivian Maier at the Musée du Luxembourg, Françoise Pétrovitch at the Bibliothèque nationale de France, Alice Neel at the Centre Pompidou and many more.