L’Empire du sommeil” exhibition at the Musée Marmottan from 2025

From October 9, 2025 to March 1, 2026, the Musée Marmottan Monet in Paris will host the exhibition “The Empire of Sleep”. Featuring 130 works, the exhibition explores the art and science of sleep from the 19th to the 20th century, in dialogue with older pieces. A major cultural event, combining pictorial beauty and scientific reflection.

A unique artistic event in Paris

With “L’Empire du sommeil”, the Musée Marmottan Monet confirms its position as one of Paris’s most dynamic cultural institutions. The scenography is divided into eight distinct sections, each highlighting a different perspective. Visitors will discover masterpieces by Delacroix and Goya, as well as scientific objects linked to sleep research.

This crossover between artistic iconography and science gives the exhibition a rare dimension. Curators Laura Bossi and Sylvie Carlier invite us to reflect on the many ways in which sleep is represented. In a context marked by renewed interest in themes of well-being, this project has a clear contemporary resonance.

The chosen period, from the 19th to the 20th century, allows us to explore the impact of industrialization, Romanticism and the birth of psychoanalysis. Sleep became a symbolic theme, rich in interpretations, both mystical and scientific.

The commissioners and their vision

Laura Bossi, neurologist and historian of science, provides a valuable scientific perspective. Her expertise sheds light on the relationship between sleep, medicine and the arts. Her collaboration with Sylvie Carlier, Collections Director, enriches the reading of each work presented.

Their aim is to rediscover forgotten or marginalized representations. They create a rich dialogue between famous artists and documents from medical archives. This contrast highlights the ambivalence of sleep: restorative rest, but also an image of vulnerability.

Many of the works on display emphasize the intimate dimension of the bedroom and sleeping bodies. These representations resonate with current issues, particularly those linked to health and our modern pace of life.

A journey through eight thematic sections

The exhibition features some 130 pieces, including paintings, sculptures, drawings and scientific documents. Each section illustrates a specific aspect of sleep, from religious symbolism to modern medical approaches. Visitors will discover a vast fresco where sacred art and secular visions interact.

One of the strengths of this event lies in its ability to confront works by Ingres or Vallotton with objects related to neurology. Sections explore, for example, a child’s sleep, the eroticism of the sleeping body or the relationship between sleep and death. This contrast perfectly illustrates the universality of the theme.

This museum approach echoes current trends in interdisciplinary exhibitions, linking cultural history and modern science. Through this diversity, the Musée Marmottan enriches its aura as a living place, open to intellectual and artistic experimentation.

“The exhibition questions the symbolic, allegorical and scientific significance of sleep through the centuries.” – Laura Bossi

A strong contemporary echo

Although the works date mainly from the 19th and 20th centuries, they also reflect our own times. In our hyper-connected societies, sleep has become a health issue that is discussed, measured and medicalized. This exhibition is a collective reflection on the rhythms of our lives.

The curators have not neglected the universal dimension. Ancient mythologies and sacred art are also called upon, putting into perspective the role of sleep in the representation of the unconscious. This multi-disciplinary approach will appeal not only to art lovers, but also to the scientifically curious.

Paris is once again establishing itself as a cultural capital thanks to this type of event. The Musée Marmottan Monet, located in the 16th arrondissement, has established itself as a key player in heritage and contemporary debates on the relationship between body and mind.

“A section dedicated to the bedroom reveals its intimate and symbolic dimensions in cultural history.” – Going out in Paris

A cultural experience not to be missed

Open from October 9, 2025 to March 1, 2026, this exhibition is one of the highlights of the Paris cultural season. Art lovers can round off their visit with a stop at one of the capital’s restaurants or other emblematic venues.

This exhibition is part of a rich cultural program focusing on the links between art and science. It questions our intimate and collective visions of sleep. A number of conferences and associated events will extend this intellectual and aesthetic journey.

A rare and symbolic event, “L’Empire du sommeil” aims to appeal to painting enthusiasts and psychoanalysis buffs alike. The wealth of works brought together promises a powerful immersion in universal cultural representations of night and rest.

The Musée Marmottan Monet thus confirms its ability to create events that appeal to Parisians and foreign visitors alike. To extend the experience, the What to do in Paris website offers further inspiration for enriching your cultural outing.