In the spring of 2019, the Musée d’Orsay presented The Black Model: From Géricault to Matisse, an exhibition dedicated to the representation of Black models in French art from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Through a rich and carefully researched presentation, the exhibition offered a renewed perspective on figures who had long remained in the background of art history.

The works on display highlighted the essential role played by these models in artistic creation. Combining paintings, drawings, photographs, and archival materials, the exhibition helped visitors better understand the social, cultural, and artistic developments associated with their presence in artists’ studios.

The exhibition attracted considerable attention for its historical and contemporary relevance. It contributed to broader discussions about diversity in European art and the individuals who inspired some of the most celebrated masterpieces of their time.