Info:
- Dates: 10.12.25 – 29.03.26
- Where: Grand Palais
- Price: 15 euros/ 12 euros reduced
The Grand Palais dedicates two of its spaces to two major figures of the contemporary French art scene: Claire Tabouret and Eva Jospin. A transitional hall separates two distinct exhibition paths, each devoted to one artist: on one side, D’un seul souffle, presenting Tabouret’s project for the new stained-glass windows of Notre-Dame Cathedral; on the other, Grottesco, where Jospin transforms the space into an immersive landscape of sculptures and wall installations.
In 2024, Claire Tabouret was selected as the winner of the competition to design the new stained-glass windows for Notre-Dame, replacing those on the south side of the cathedral destroyed in the 2019 fire. The exhibition presents full-scale models of the windows, currently in production by master glass artisans. The six compositions draw inspiration from the theme of the Pentecost. For each, the exhibition booklet provides contextual insight into the scenes depicted, as well as the artist’s own reflections on her choices.
One of the most striking works is Sainte-Geneviève. Here, the Virgin Mary departs from traditional static representations: she appears animated, expressive, and powerful. The vivid colours—characteristic of Tabouret’s painterly language—are carefully calibrated to harmonise with the cathedral’s light. Surrounded by other female figures, Mary is crowned with small flames, directly referencing the Pentecost.
” I wanted to paint a woman standing upright, whose gaze subtly conveys her experience of life and suffering. Her loose hair, her posture and her presence express an inner strenght “
-Claire Tabouret
The presentation is complemented by preparatory sketches and working materials, which offer valuable insight into the conceptual and technical process behind the creation of the stained glass.
In contrast, on the opposite side of the hall, Eva Jospin presents Grottesco, an exhibition centred on the motif of the grotto, a subject she has explored for many years. The title refers both to the legend of a young Roman who discovered the frescoes of the Domus Aurea after falling into a cavity, and more broadly to the artistic style in which nature, architecture, and the fantastical intertwine.
The visitor moves through a carefully constructed parcours defined by Jospin’s sculptures, some pre-existing, others conceived specifically for the exhibition. Perception is constantly challenged: as one approaches the works, the artist’s remarkable technical mastery becomes evident. Using cardboard as her primary material, Jospin creates monumental structures of astonishing precision. The density of detail is striking, and the experience is highly immersive, inviting viewers to walk around – and at times enter – these sculptural environments.
At the centre of the space stands Duomo, an installation recalling the Pantheon. This architectural structure, enveloped by organic, rock-like forms, is entirely constructed from cardboard. Multiple प्रवेश points allow the visitor to step inside, where the upward gaze is immediately drawn to the dome, whose intricate details evoke the illusion of a real architectural space.
Along the walls, a series of bas-reliefs combine cardboard with embroidery, another signature element of Jospin’s practice. The use of delicate thread introduces subtle colour into her predominantly monochromatic worlds of forests and imaginary landscapes. Here again, the precision of execution is remarkable, encouraging prolonged observation and close attention to detail.
Though distinct in their approaches, Tabouret and Jospin share a strong presence within the contemporary French and international art landscape. This dual presentation not only highlights the specificity of their respective practices but also underscores the vitality and diversity of current artistic production. The exhibitions are both quite short and very accessible.
2023
My personal highlights:
- Eva Jospin, Chefs-d’œuvre Crayère et Bassin (2023)
- Eva Jospin, Duomo, 2022-2025
- Claire Tabouret, window of the Chapel of Saint Genevieve, 2024
MUSEmemoirs 