Faces of Artists: From Gustave Courbet to Annette Messager

Gustave Courbet loved to pose for the viewer, fixing them with his intense gaze. Starting March 18, 2026, the Petit Palais offers a privileged encounter with the creators who have shaped the history of art. This selection draws on the museum’s riches to reveal how painters and sculptors have perceived themselves through the ages. We encounter the tormented features of 19th-century masters alongside Annette Messager’s audacious visions. This face-to-face dialogue traverses the eras, demonstrating that the representation of self remains an infinite field of experimentation. Far from frozen portraits, these works reveal the doubts and genius of those who animate the art scene. A fascinating visual journey to experience until July 19, 2026, within this majestic setting located on the Seine.