This month, the city's most prestigious cultural institutions present a diverse lineup of shows, offering everything from contemporary art to major historical retrospectives. Whether you’re an art aficionado or a curious traveler, Paris in September is the perfect time to explore these world-class exhibitions that capture the spirit and creativity of the City of Light. As a Parisian gallery, we are pleased to be part of this buzzling art scene, so keep reading to inform yourself about the major openings that you can’t miss!

The Musée d'Orsay is set to unveil a landmark exhibition on September 24th, marking the first French retrospective dedicated to Harriet Backer, a pivotal figure in Norwegian art at the turn of the 19th century. Titled "Harriet Backer: The Music of Color," this exhibition, running through January 12, 2025, offers an in-depth exploration of Backer's illustrious career, her role as an educator, and her influence as a feminist. As a prolific painter, Backer made a lasting impact on the European art scene, and this exhibition brings together a significant collection of her works, presented in a thematic layout that allows visitors to immerse themselves in her world. The exhibition begins by delving into Backer's formative years, tracing her artistic development across various European cultural centers. It highlights the profound impact that her travels, education, and encounters with other artists had on her evolving style. The show will not only showcase her mastery of color and light but also emphasize her commitment to advancing knowledge and supporting the role of women in the arts. As visitors journey through the exhibition, they will gain a deeper understanding of Harriet Backer’s significant contributions to the art world, her innovative approach to painting, and her lasting legacy as an artist who bridged cultural and stylistic boundaries.

On September 6th, the Musée Jacquemart-André will reopen with a prestigious exhibition featuring forty masterpieces from Rome's famed Galleria Borghese. This unique collaboration offers Parisian audiences a rare chance to view iconic works by Renaissance and Baroque masters such as Caravaggio, Rubens, Botticelli, Raphael, Titian, and Bernini, rarely loaned outside Italy. The exhibition also delves into the history of the Villa Borghese, established in the early 17th century by Cardinal Scipione Borghese, a key figure in art collection and patronage. Known for his discerning taste, insatiable curiosity, and relentless pursuit of masterpieces—often by any means necessary—Scipione Borghese established one of the most significant art collections of his time, transforming his villa into a precursor of the modern museum. Over the centuries, the Borghese family continued to enrich this collection, maintaining its integrity and legacy even through challenges such as the sale of numerous antique sculptures to Napoleon Bonaparte. As part of the Galleria's renovation, this exhibition not only showcases extraordinary art but also provides insight into the legacy of one of Rome's most significant cultural landmarks.

Opening on October 11th, the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris will present a groundbreaking exhibition that explores the impact of atomic discoveries on 20th-century modern art. This extensive exhibition, which brings together nearly 250 works, including paintings, drawings, photographs, videos, and installations, delves into how the scientific discovery of the atom and the advent of nuclear power, particularly the atomic bomb, reshaped artistic expression. The exhibition examines the varied responses of artists to these developments, from the mystical abstraction of Vassily Kandinsky and Hilma af Klint to the conceptual art of Marcel Duchamp. It also addresses the profound shift in artistic representation following the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, highlighting works by major figures such as Francis Bacon, Salvador Dalí, Jackson Pollock, and Yves Klein. Through these pieces, the exhibition offers a compelling narrative of how the "Atomic Age" influenced the course of modern art, raising questions about humanity's relationship with technology, war, and the environment. The show is particularly timely, reflecting the museum's commitment to engaging with contemporary cultural and societal issues, making it a must-see for anyone interested in the intersection of art and science.

Opening on October 16th, 2024, the Louis Vuitton Fondation will unveil "Pop Forever, Tom Wesselmann &…", an expansive exhibition celebrating the enduring legacy of Pop Art, a movement that has continued to resonate across generations and continents since its rise in the 1960s. Centered around the prolific work of Tom Wesselmann, a leading figure in the movement, the exhibition will feature 150 of his paintings and multimedia pieces, alongside 70 works by 35 other artists who share a "Pop" sensibility. Spanning from the movement's Dada roots to its contemporary expressions, the exhibition will explore how Pop Art has continually evolved, from the iconic imagery of the 1960s to the present day. Not just a retrospective, "Pop Forever" contextualizes Wesselmann's work within the broader history of Pop Art, offering insights into its past, present, and future. Visitors will experience a thematic journey across four floors, highlighting Wesselmann's famous Great American Nudes, his innovative Standing Still Lifes, and the influences of Dada, consumer culture, and globalization on Pop Art. The show also features contemporary artists who have been inspired by Pop Art, with new works created specifically for this exhibition.

The Galerie de Buci is currently hosting an exceptional exhibition dedicated to Dean Tavoularis, a legendary production designer whose iconic work in cinema has left an indelible mark on the industry. Best known for his Oscar-winning design for "The Godfather" series, Tavoularis's career has spanned decades, with collaborations with some of the most renowned directors in film history, including Francis Ford Coppola. Beyond his cinematic contributions, the exhibition reveals Tavoularis's deep engagement with the arts, featuring his personal drawings, paintings, and mixed-media works that explore themes of memory, architecture, and the intersection of reality and fiction. By bringing together these diverse elements of his creative oeuvre, the Galerie de Buci invites visitors to explore the mind of a master visual storyteller and to appreciate the breadth and depth of his artistic vision. The exhibition "DEAN TAVOULARIS: HIS UNIVERSE, HIS ART" will be on view until September 28th, offering an unmissable opportunity for film and art enthusiasts alike to immerse themselves in the world of Dean Tavoularis.

As Paris transitions from the fervor of summer's global events to the rich tapestry of autumn's cultural offerings, the city stands as a beacon of artistic inspiration. With its world-renowned museums and galleries unveiling an array of captivating exhibitions, there's no better time to immerse yourself in the vibrant art scene of the City of Light. Among the must-see shows are remarkable retrospectives, commemorations of significant artistic movements, and major museum reopenings. And particularly, whether you're a seasoned art lover or simply curious, don't miss the chance to explore Tavoularis's remarkable works, on display at the Galerie de Buci until September 28th. This exhibition, alongside the other groundbreaking shows opening this month, underscores Paris's enduring role as a global capital of culture and creativity.