Rêves et révoltes

The Modern Art period spanned from the late 19th century to the 1950s. Marked by stark departures from academic fine arts instruction, it paved the way for unprecedented freedom of expression—a defining characteristic of contemporary art.

In Québec, in France and around the world, this artistic uprising took shape at a time of powerful cultural, social and political upheaval. Industrialization, war and massive displacement transformed societies and lifestyles.

Artistic revolts that emerged from societal transformation 

Rêves et révoltes : l’art moderne au Québec et en France focuses on the trailblazing role artists played. Driven by a desire to invent new visual vocabularies and break free of convention, they contributed to the emergence of new art forms, through their work in Fauvism, Cubism, Surrealism, Automatism or Plasticism. Elements of surprise, shock and even destabilization became essential to the aesthetic experience.

Striking up a dialogue between the artistic and socio-political histories of Québec and France, first between 1900 and 1945, and then from the post-war period to the end of the 1960s, the exhibition seeks to shed light on the two specific societal contexts on each side of the Atlantic.

Through thematic comparisons between works from the Musée and from the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris, the exhibition highlights the artistic revolts that emerged from societal transformation at distinct moments in time.