The Phenomenon of Nicolas de Stael: Art Picnic and Exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art
About Nicolas de Stael
The figure of Nicolas de Stal is undeservedly little known in his homeland in Russia, but in Europe, and especially in France, where he lived most of his life, he gained popularity on a par with Chagall and Kandinsky, and his works are sold at auction for millions.
His entire oeuvre was created in a very short period of time from 1943 to 1955 and counts more than a thousand paintings, characterised by a constant contradiction between abstract and figurative expression. He is one of the few who was recognised during his lifetime, exhibited all over the world and became a millionaire.
But suddenly, at the height of his fame, Nicolas de Stael breaks off all contacts and social ties and goes into seclusion in the south of France. And in mid-March 1955, a stranger found the body of the artist, jumped out of the window of the studio. He was only 41 years old.
Event’s programme
We will meet at 1 pm in the Trocadero Gardens for an art picnic dedicated to the work of Nicolas de Staël.
We will learn the details of his complex and tragic biography, follow his intense pictorial quest, starting with his youthful travels and his first years in Paris, then his move to Vaucluse, his famous trip to Sicily in 1953 and finally his last months in Antibes. We will reflect on the different periods of his work, which deliberately blurs the distinction between abstraction and figuration. We will talk about the artistic environment in which these searches took place and its main actors.
After the art picnic we will visit the exhibition with an audio guide specially prepared by our expert, that will continue the theme of the lecture and lead us around the exhibition, telling about the most significant and important works of the artist.
*In case of bad weather the picnic will be moved to a café.
Event’s details
Meeting point: Trocadero Gardens
Date and time: 23 September, Saturday, 1 pm - 4 pm
Group size: maximum 10 people
Cost: 80€ euro*
*Includes picnic lunch, lecture and bespoke audio guide.
Ticket to the museum is purchased independently. Registration is confirmed after payment.
We use cookies to improve your experience and to help us understand how you use our site. Please refer to our cookie notice and privacy statement for more information regarding cookies and other third-party tracking that may be enabled.
