Le Modèle Noir - de Gericault à Matisse, Musée D’Orsay “Taking a multi-disciplinary approach that combines the history of art and the history of ideas, this exhibition explores aesthetic, political, social and racial issues as well as the imagery unveiled by the representation of black figures in visual arts, from the abolition of slavery in France (1794) to the modern day.”1 This was an essential stop in a brief visit to Paris. The D’orsay exhibition discourse is not a new spotlight of course. Previous analyses have delved below the surface of the subject, leaving a trail of enlightenment for others. The curation, and indeed the show is robust and forthright, yet as an African, in this context particularly, it was impossible to avoid the waves of emotion that surface when facing these internationally acclaimed works. The audience’s expressions and muffled exclamations in viewing the collection created a salient piece of potential filmography. It was surreal to browse objectively, while observing this - within the sphere of large scale images shouting the crude realities depicted in enslavement scenes. There is the relief of beauty and elegance, portrayals in chapters of comedy, theatre, save for the stage life of Ira Aldridge - which was not always a happy one. There are examples of French literature, such as the lives and works of Alexander Dumas; father and son. The story of these overlooked figures, case in point, Manet’s ‘Olympia’ both captivates and causes unease and disquiet. This painting, also copied by Gaugin and others, is for me, one of the key pillars of this exhibition. 1 - https://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/events/exhibitions/in-the-museums/exhibitions-in-the-musee-dorsay/article/le-modele-noir-47692.html?tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=254&cHash=1135cf8ff6 #museedorsay #lemodelenoir #lemodelenoirdegericaultamatisse #modernart #galleriesinparis (at Musée d'Orsay) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByunyKoF_9D/?igshid=1ahc6rk9pnwc0
