In the mid-nineteenth century, the development of the railways had a far-reaching impact on perceptions of time and space. In an exhibition featuring some one hundred works from different eras, including many masterpieces, the museum invites you to discover artists’ outlook on this major technological innovation.
The exhibition is divided into two sections:
First floor of the Cube: crossing the landscape
Locomotives and their carriages steaming through towns and countryside were a source of fascination not just to the people they passed, but also to artists. During the journey, the landscape was transformed: it was elongated as it streamed past, inspiring many painters and photographers. The universal language of railway signals gradually found its way into paintings, and discs in particular became a recurring symbol in modern art.
Trains in the landscape, the landscape viewed from trains, and even the graphic landscape of railway signals all offer perspectives on the transformation of the landscape associated with the arrival of the railways.
Second floor of the Cube: time and alternative time
The exhibition explores the impact of this new means of transport on artists’ perceptions and depictions of time. After staring intently at the station clock, passengers then found themselves in carriages isolated from the world. They let their thoughts roam free or were fascinated by the power of the engine itself.
Platform time, carriage time and history time are all types of time inextricably associated with train journeys.
A model layout with a train in motion… behind the horizon
In the Salle blanche, the exhibition is supplemented with a contemporary installation by artist Corentin Leber, in partnership with the Mini Rail Nantais railway modellers’ club.
The artist has designed a large model featuring a moving train. The train breaks free from the layout and meanders behind the horizon in an imaginary landscape comprising a dozen works of art.
This installation in the Salle blanche is a must-see for fans of model layouts and imaginary journeys.
General curator:
Sophie Lévy, Director and curator, Musée d’arts de Nantes
Scientific curator:
Jean-Rémi Touzet, curator responsible for 19th century collections, Musée d’arts de Nantes
This exhibition has been awarded the “Exhibition of national importance” label by the French Ministry of Culture. It therefore qualifies for special state funding. Nantes would like to extend its warm thanks to the Ministry of Culture.
The Musée d’arts de Nantes would like to express its thanks to the Musée d’Orsay for its special support for the exhibition.
The Musée d’arts de Nantes thanks corporate supporters Alstom and SNCF Réseau for their major financial contributions to the exhibition.
The Musée d’arts de Nantes would like to thank its partner Rails & Histoire, which has played a part in ensuring the high quality of the exhibition and raising its profile.
The museum would also like to express its appreciation to its partner Discovery Trains for its support with promoting the exhibition.
The museum extends its warmest thanks to its media partners whose support has actively contributed to helping the public discover and visit the exhibition.
Credits:
- Claude Monet, Charing Cross Bridge, La Tamise, 1903, huile sur toile, 73,4 x 100,3 cm, Lyon, Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon, Photo : © RMN-Grand Palais / René-Gabriel Ojeda
From 21 October 2022 to 5 February 2023
1st and 2nd floors of the Cube, Salle blanche
