French Art Seen Through Laïcité—The Light of Faith and the Light of Reason
This exhibition uses the concept of French "laïcité" as a lens to explore French art from the French Revolution to the mid-20th century.Summary
The exhibition, "French Art Seen Through Laïcité—The Light of Faith and the Light of Reason," proposes a new way to appreciate French modern art by using "laïcité"—the concept of the state's autonomy from religion guaranteeing freedom of belief—as an analytical framework. The French Revolution emphasized human reason, rejecting the rule of the monarchy and the Catholic Church to establish a new order. Subsequently, conflict arose between those seeking to restore France's Catholic tradition and those promoting laïcité, carrying forward the ideals of the Revolution. Art was also affected by this struggle, gradually separating itself from the power of the aristocracy and the church to achieve its own "sanctity." The exhibition features approximately 200 works, including oil paintings, prints, and sculptures from the French Revolution period up to the mid-20th century, shedding new light on masterpieces from domestic collections.
(Source：美術展ナビ)