Plumes du paradis. Voyages d'un oiseau extraordinaire de Nouvelle-Guinée

From the forests of New Guinea to the paintings of the great masters of the Northern school, a fascinating journey in the footsteps of birds of paradise, flamboyant creatures that have captivated the world for five centuries.

This exhibition traces the circulation of feathers and representations of birds of paradise, artist-birds that create enchantment, originating from the lush forests of New Guinea.

Objects of covetousness, contemplation, and inspiration, these spectacular beings have traversed eras and continents.

Bringing together nearly 190 works – adornments, paintings, taxidermied specimens, fashion pieces and accessories, art objects, and illustrated books – the exhibition combines perspectives from natural history, art, ethnology, fashion, and ecology.

It sheds light on how these birds have been collected, represented, admired, or transformed over time, in Oceania, Asia, and Europe. Conceived in collaboration with scientists, academics, and artists from New Guinea, the exhibition offers contemporary local interpretations.

It invites us to rethink our connections with living things and knowledge, taking into account the urgent challenges of this century, and to discover these vibrant feathers with a renewed perspective.