The case

The Centre Pompidou in Paris is hosting a monographic exhibition dedicated to Suzanne Valadon (1865 – 1938), a pioneering artist who defied the artistic norms of her time. Running from January 15 to May 26, 2025, the exhibition showcases nearly 200 works, including paintings, drawings as well as etchings drawn from national collections such as the Centre Pompidou, Musée d’Orsay, and Musée de l’Orangerie.

Source: Centre Pompidou

The commentary

Valadon distinguished herself by focussing on realistic depictions of the human form, placing both female and male nudes at the center of her work. She portrayed bodies without artifice or voyeurism, challenging the prevailing artistic trends of cubism and abstract art that were emerging during her era.

She began her artistic journey as a model for prominent artists like Edgar Degas and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Transitioning to painting in the 1890s, Valadon gained recognition for her candid female nudes and vibrant still lives. It’s worth noting that she was the first woman painter accepted as an exhibitor in the Salon de la Nationale in 1894.

Christie’s sold Nu à la draperie (1921) in 2021 for USD 475,000, establishing a world auction record for the artist.

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