"Copyists" Exhibit: A Contemporary Dialogue with Classic Art at Centre Pompidou-Metz and Louvre

In an unprecedented collaboration, the Centre Pompidou-Metz and the Musée du Louvre have unveiled "Copyists," an exhibition running from June 14, 2025, to February 2, 2026. This showcase invites 100 contemporary artists to reinterpret masterpieces from the Louvre's extensive collection, offering fresh perspectives on classical art.

Historically, copying has been integral to artistic training, allowing artists to learn techniques and engage deeply with the works of masters. The Louvre has maintained a copyists' bureau since its founding in 1793, granting permits to artists to replicate artworks within its galleries. This practice underscores the museum's role as a "grand book" from which artists learn to "read," as Paul Cézanne once described.

Curated by Chiara Parisi, Director of the Centre Pompidou-Metz, and Donatien Grau, Head of Contemporary Programs at the Louvre, the exhibition challenges traditional notions of copying by encouraging artists to create new works inspired by existing masterpieces. The exhibition design draws inspiration from architect Carlo Scarpa's approach, fostering unexpected connections between artworks and emphasizing freedom and creativity.

Several artists have provided unique reinterpretations:

• Thomas Hirschhorn: His piece, "Hausaltar," is a sculptural work inspired by François Boucher's "Le Déjeuner." Hirschhorn's creation includes a small reproduction of Boucher's painting, housed within an altar adorned with flowers, a mirror, candles, and incense, offering a contemporary take on the domestic scene.

• Yan Pei-Ming: He produced a greyscale painting focusing solely on the attendant in Rembrandt's "Bathsheba at Her Bath," highlighting the often-overlooked figure and providing a fresh perspective on the original composition.

• Ariana Papademetropoulos: Her work reimagines Anne-Louis Girodet's "The Sleep of Endymion," replacing the figure of Selene with moonlight itself, creating a celestial glow that bridges myth with modern memory.

• Yohji Yamamoto: The renowned fashion designer presents an interpretation inspired by Lucas Franchoys' "Portrait of a Man with His Doublet Half Open," reflecting on the rigor and rebellion inherent in historical fashion.

The exhibition features a diverse roster of artists, including Rita Ackermann, Valerio Adami, Ghada Amer, Miquel Barceló, Mohamed Bourouissa, Glenn Brown, Jeff Koons, Julie Mehretu, and Danh Vō, among others. This diverse lineup underscores the exhibition's commitment to exploring the multifaceted nature of artistic copying across various mediums and styles.

"Copyists" prompts a reevaluation of the concepts of originality and duplication in art. In an era dominated by digital reproduction, the exhibition invites viewers to consider the value and meaning of copies, the dialogue between past and present, and the continuous evolution of artistic expression. By showcasing contemporary artists engaging with historical works, the exhibition highlights the enduring relevance of classical art in modern creative practices.

The "Copyists" exhibition at the Centre Pompidou-Metz offers a compelling exploration of the dynamic between originality and duplication, encouraging visitors to engage with art history through the lens of contemporary creativity.