Joie de vivre

Published on the occasion of the exhibition Joie de vivre, Palais des beaux-arts de Lille (Sept. 26, 2015 - Jan. 17, 2016).

"Wherever there is joy, there is creation: the richer the creation, the deeper the joy."
H. Bergson, Spiritual Energy

Art has always played an important role in the representation of happiness. Hedonism, gaiety, sensuality, pleasures of the body or mind, the history of the arts abounds in artists who, through painting, drawing or sculpture, have known how to bear witness to what inspires joie de vivre.

The flagship exhibition of the Lille 3000 season, "Joie de vivre" covers all eras and all modes of expression. From Arcadia, the ideal society celebrated in Antiquity, to the small pleasures of everyday life (family, childhood, play), not forgetting music, dance and celebration, this exhibition reminds us of all the reasons we have to rejoice.

More than 120 works, divided into 5 sections, present a joyful panorama of life's pleasures. From Brueghel's village festivities to Rothko's sunny canvases, whatever the era, culture, the art of living, the art of loving and enjoying have inspired the greatest artists.
F. Hals, Boucher, Tiepolo, Carpeaux, Monet, Picasso, Matisse, Dufy, Niki de Saint-Phalle, Baselitz and Murakami, will also be part of the selection.

In autumn 2015, the entire museum will be invested with joie de vivre: contemporary art will accompany visitors to the exhibition hall, while other spaces will host excerpts from feel good movies or feel good songs, those films and songs that make you happy...