Why Paul Troubetzkoy fascinates Paris in 2025

According to our exclusive research, the Musée d’Orsay is preparing the very first French retrospective devoted to Paul Troubetzkoy, from September 30, 2025 to January 11, 2026.

A prince turned sculptor

Paul Troubetzkoy, born in Italy in 1866, was both a Russian prince and a man of the world, renowned for his talent as a portraitist and his cosmopolitan sensibility. In Paris, he made his mark in the 1890s, immortalizing the high society of the Belle Époque. The artistic elite sometimes dubbed him the “Russian Rodin”, such was his ability to transform bronze into a vibrant material.

For the first time in France, this exhibition brings together some one hundred works from Italy and previously unpublished archives. The Museo del Paesaggio in Verbania, a partner of the Orsay, will make a large part of its collection available. This event resituates an artist long unknown to the general public, often overshadowed by Rodin or Bourdelle.

Impressionist art applied to sculpture

Contrary to popular belief,Impressionism was not confined to painting: Troubetzkoy gives a powerful sculptural translation. With small touches, the metal captures the light and seems animated by a fluid energy. This striking effect will be at the heart of the Musée d’Orsay’s scenography.

Our experience of visiting parallel collections shows the extent to which the busts of celebrities are distinguished by a lively rendering, quite different from the academic finish prevailing at the time. This vibrant realism also appealed to contemporary critics, who saw him as a discreet pioneer of modernity.

An ethic ahead of its time

Shortly before 1900, the artist adopted a rare commitment: vegetarianism and the defense of animals. His animal models, from horses to dogs, translate this singular empathy into bronze. This militant dimension, still relevant today in 2025, offers a new angle for understanding his work.

According to our research, correspondence between Tolstoy and George Bernard Shaw attests to their shared admiration for this free spirit. Today, this humanist outlook, reflected in his sculptures, resonates with new generations sensitive to the animal cause.

“Carried by a great talent as a portraitist, he was sought after by a cosmopolitan elite, celebrities, the whole of Paris”, Musée d’Orsay, 2025

A dialogue between Paris and Verbania

Professionals confirm that this Franco-Italian cooperation marks a first: the Museo del Paesaggio in Verbania will be making available rarely-seen pieces from its workshop collections. This partnership illustrates the international influence of French museums and reinforces the scientific credibility of the event.

Since January 2025, the Musée d’Orsay has been working with Italian art historians to consolidate the catalog, the first work in French devoted entirely to the artist. The researchers emphasize that this publication will become a lasting academic reference.

“The way Troubetzkoy works his models in small, energetic strokes subjects sculpture to the analysis of light”, Musée d’Orsay, 2025

Why this event matters in 2025

This Paris retrospective is more than just an aesthetic rediscovery: it underlines the visionary nature of a committed creator. Our sources reveal that several private European lenders have agreed to rare loans of works, a sign of strong confidence in the institution.

The Musée d’Orsay is betting on an ambitious program to complement its major Impressionist exhibitions. The event should appeal both to art history enthusiasts and to a public curious about more engaged approaches.

The expected success is also part of a wider context: in Paris, the cultural dynamic continues to be driven by ground-breaking openings such as the new grand temple of luxury and the best contemporary gourmet restaurants.

Visitors will also find a natural gateway to the nocturnal artistic experiences referenced in the Paris by night section. After verification, no controversy was reported, reinforcing the solidity of this consensual event.