« The Tower is the only interpreter of the serene part of the shadows », said André Malraux in 1951 in his essay The Ways of Silence. More than 70 years later, it seems that this saying still holds true. At least, that's what the brand new exhibition imagined by Gail Feigenbaum and Pierre Curie at the Jacquemart-André Museum suggests. Through about ten rooms and around forty works, the entire mastery of light and chiaroscuro by Georges de la Tour is on display, offering us a moment of pure grace.
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A poetic and refined work
As soon as you step into the exhibition, you're immersed in the unique world of Georges de la Tour. The cozy atmosphere and soft lighting highlight the mystery surrounding the work of this underappreciated artist, of whose paintings only a few dozen have survived. These canvases, as they line the walls, reveal a subtle painting style, where the apparent simplicity and frequent lack of lavish decorations and accessories emphasize the symbolic power of these images.
Georges de La Tour, The Woman with the Flea © Palais des ducs de Lorraine - Musée Lorrain, Nancy / Thomas Clot
Here, the artist, through his subtle naturalism, portrays a discreet humanity, both dignified and fragile, creating a language of great emotional power. This language, although inspired by the Caravaggesque school, also sets itself apart thanks to its simplicity and intensity. From room to room, biblical images and everyday scenes blend into a refined poetry. From The Woman with the Flea to The Newborn, passing through Job Scorned by His Wife or Saint John the Baptist in the Desert, each work elevates La Tour among the greatest.17th century.
And there was light
But the real focal point of this exhibition isn't the painter, it's actually the light, which he spends most of his career celebrating. Whether its source is hidden or visible on the canvas, it alternates between being a simple accessory or a key element of the story, even becoming the very subject of certain paintings. A virtuoso luminism, which Georges de La Tour makes his signature style, multiplying the canvases where the velvet of the night is pierced only by the glow of a candle or a lantern.
Georges de La Tour, L’Argent versé © Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery
Through this process, the painter mystifies the most humble figures and weaves a notion of divinity even into the most mundane scenes. The result is a sensation of calm, of the supernatural that follows us throughout the exhibition. For a brief moment, time blurs, day and night intertwine, illustrating all the light within darkness and delivering a work of unmatched purity.
A Colorful Return
And to celebrate the return, the exhibition Georges de la Tour is not the only treasure offered by the Jacquemart-André Museum. Indeed, why not take the opportunity for a visit to ...discover more broadly this institution that undoubtedly belongs to the most beautiful in the capital? To do this, head towards the permanent collections of the place, arranged in breathtaking rooms. Private apartments, a library, a music room, or even the Florentine lounge, here, each space is an exceptional setting to host precious works of art.
© Nicolas Heron / Culturespace
For the more foodie enthusiasts, we take a moment to enjoy Nélie's dining room, where you can savor a tea, a brunch, or even a lunch crafted by the most talented chefs in the capital. And to sweeten the deal, how about treating yourself to an afterwork event, organized every Friday evening, to explore the museum in a completely different way, within the magnificent courtyard or the tea salon?
Georges de la Tour. Between shadow and light
Musée Jacquemart-André
158, boulevard Haussmann – 8e
From September 11, 2025, to January 25, 2025