In The Studio

The representation of the artist's studio, a traditional theme since the Renaissance, renewed in the romantic period, both in painting and literature, underwent a new development with the invention of photography. Painters, sculptors, architects and photographers themselves were pleased to have their pictures taken in their studios, places of creation and reception, where their talent was performed. At once messy and carefully organised, mingling plasters, easels, turntables, etchings and mirrors, salons where one could entertain and be seen, richly decorated studios of fashionable artists, outside studios of open-air painters, the artist's studio was also the reflection of the creative personality of its owner.


Photographers either rendered this through the use of posed photographs or chose to transcribe its fugitive and mobile soul through the use of instant photography. Unclothed models or visitors wearing hats people these places of creation ; the close link between the artist and his model is thus revealed.


Being the collection of a museum of fine arts, the photographic collection gathers many photographs of studios, showing the artist at his work, unveiling his models. Some eighty photographs of the Musée d'Orsay collection are presented, depicting amongst others and for instance the studios of Camille Corot, Pierre Prins, Bartholomé, Mucha, Forain, Delaherche, Gérôme, Carabin, Bugatti, Bonnard, Rodin.