To mark the centennial of his death, the Musée d’Orsay is putting on an exhibition of the work of Edgar Degas (1834-1917), interspersed with the prose and verse of his friend and collaborator Paul Valéry (1871-1945).
The intimate friendship between the two spanned more than 20 years and inspired Valéry to publish Degas Dance Dessin (Degas Dance Drawing) in 1937.
Alongside an impressive collection of some of Degas’ most iconic works, are an array of artefacts and archival documents giving you a rare insight into both men’s creative process and complex and poetic personalities, as well as the dynamics of their personal interactions with each other.
Sketches of Degas’ signature ballerinas are complemented by notebooks scrawled and filled with notes and early drafts of Valéry’s poems. Extracts from Valéry’s oeuvre are matched alongside Degas’ sculptures and paintings, bringing to life the main themes explored in his 1937 book, and evoking a fragile balance between the intimacy and universality of their creative exchanges. These exchanges can be seen in Degas’ fondness for dance and horse racing and Valéry’s modernist search for movement and motion in his writing. There is no shortage of Degas' paintings around Paris’ museums but this opportunity to observe the gradual development of each of these men’s output, and bear witness to each seeking inspiration in the work of the other is exceptional.
Musée d'Orsay
1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, 75007 Paris, Francia
Opening Days and Times
Tuesady, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 9:30-18:00
Thursday: 9:30-21:45
Monday: closed