As the summer of 2026 progresses, Paris continues to be a vibrant hub for art enthusiasts, with a selection of exceptional exhibitions nearing their conclusion. From the powerful sculptures of Michelangelo and Rodin to the vibrant colors of Matisse and the innovative mobiles of Calder, these five must-see shows offer a rich cultural experience before they close their doors. This also presents a perfect opportunity to enjoy the city’s cultural offerings while escaping the summer heat.
Michelangelo Rodin: Living Bodies at the Louvre Museum
The Louvre Museum hosts a compelling exhibition, “Michelangelo Rodin: Living Bodies,” which orchestrates an unprecedented dialogue between two titans of Western sculpture. Spanning three centuries, these artists shared a common obsession: capturing the inner impulse of the body and giving form to the soul. The exhibition brings together nearly 230 works, including marbles, bronzes, plasters, and terracotta pieces, highlighting both their artistic connections and divergences. Key pieces include Michelangelo’s “Dying Slave” and “Rebellious Slave,” alongside Auguste Rodin’s “The Age of Bronze.” This audacious confrontation explores the artistic lineage and breakthroughs across different eras.
“Michelangelo Rodin: Living Bodies” runs until July 20th at the Louvre Museum, Paris (1st arrondissement).
Calder: Dreaming in Equilibrium at the Louis Vuitton Foundation
At the Louis Vuitton Foundation, everything appears to defy gravity in “Calder: Dreaming in Equilibrium.” This exhibition celebrates the American artist Alexander Calder (1898-1976), master of the mobile, marking the centenary of his arrival in France and fifty years since his passing. The institution presents a comprehensive retrospective that unfolds like an aerial choreography. Featuring nearly 300 works, including abstract sculptures made of wood and wire, paintings, drawings, and jewelry, the exhibition traces half a century of his creative journey. His connections with Piet Mondrian and Pablo Picasso further illuminate his groundbreaking work.
“Calder: Dreaming in Equilibrium” is on view until August 16th, 2026, at the Louis Vuitton Foundation, Paris (16th arrondissement).
Splendors of Baroque at the Jacquemart-André Museum
The Jacquemart-André Museum spotlights Hispanic Baroque art with its exhibition, “Splendors of Baroque.” This unique event offers the public a rare opportunity to admire forty works from the prestigious Hispanic Society of America (New York), brought together for the first time in France. The display creates a dialogue between the great masters of the Spanish Golden Age, spanning from the early 16th to the late 17th century. This era, marked by profound spirituality and expressive intensity, is embodied by emblematic canvases, notably those by Diego Velázquez, including “Portrait of a Young Girl,” Doménikos Theotokópoulos, known as El Greco, and the Sevillian Francisco de Zurbarán, dubbed “the painter of monks.”
“Splendors of Baroque” is open until August 2nd at the Jacquemart-André Museum, Paris (8th arrondissement).
Renoir and Love at the Musée d’Orsay
To commemorate the 150th anniversary of his masterpiece, “Bal du moulin de la Galette” (1876), the Musée d’Orsay dedicates a major retrospective to Auguste Renoir (1841-1919), a privileged witness to Parisian life in the late 19th century. Long confined to the image of the “painter of happiness,” Renoir saw joy as a significant artistic challenge: “I know it is difficult to admit that a painting can be very great painting while remaining joyful,” he confided. This reflection permeates the entire exhibition, which gathers nearly fifty canvases. Visitors can admire “La Grenouillère,” “The Umbrellas,” “The Stroll,” and “Luncheon of the Boating Party,” exceptionally loaned by the Phillips Collection in Washington.
“Renoir and Love” runs until July 19th at the Musée d’Orsay, Paris (7th arrondissement).
Matisse, 1941-1954 at the Grand Palais
Meanwhile, the Grand Palais highlights the final years of Henri Matisse’s career, a period he called his “second life,” which began in 1941 after recovering from colon cancer and continued until his death in 1954. The exhibition explores this prolific and innovative phase through more than 230 works: paintings, drawings, stained glass, and an exceptional collection of cut-out gouaches, populated by birds, plants, and feminine forms. Featured pieces include “The Sadness of the King,” “Zulma,” “The Creole Dancer,” and the famous “Blue Nudes.” The monumental panels of “The Sheaf” and “The Acanthus” are also on display.
“Matisse, 1941-1954” is open until July 26th at the Grand Palais, Paris (8th arrondissement).
