Conceived in co-production with the Louvre Museum, “The Passage of Venus” unfolds in three sequences, guiding visitors from the birth of Aphrodite to the consecration of the Venus of Arles as a major figure of ancient sculpture. Illuminated by the writings of classical authors, these stages trace how the image of the goddess was shaped and transmitted across the centuries: the exhibition offers a rare perspective on the aesthetic variations in the representation of the deity.
“The Triumph of Venus”, on the ground floor, explores the origins of the myth and the diffusion of her image throughout the ancient world. Sculptures, narratives, and masterpieces chart the emergence of an ideal of beauty that would become universal.
Within the permanent collections, “The Metamorphoses of Venus” presents formal and spiritual comparisons between works from different eras, enriched by interventions from contemporary artists. Photographed by Man Ray, transformed into a pop icon by Andy Warhol, reinterpreted by ORLAN and Annette Messager, the goddess becomes a field of artistic experimentation where fascination, irony, and reflections on the body converge. The exhibition thus opens a dialogue between the museum’s collection and sixteen contemporary artists who question the archaic origins of Venus, the cult of the nude, and the kitsch born of her widespread popularity.
Concluding the journey, “I, The Venus of Arles”, on the first floor, immerses visitors in the history of this emblematic work through archives, audiovisual installations, and interactive spaces. Bridging Antiquity and contemporary creation, the exhibition reveals the enduring presence of a symbol that has never ceased to inspire. In Arles, the goddess does not merely return as a visitor she reclaims a land that continues to bring her story to life.
Opening night: Saturday, April 25, 6 pm–9 pm (free admission)
