Photo : Hubert Robert
Lecture: Dialogue between artists, by Valérie Mettais
The Buffon library invites you to a lecture that questions how artists view one another and the influence artists have on each other
Bibliothèque Buffon (Paris 5th)
About
It is in front of a painting that one wants to become a painter, not in front of a landscape, said Renoir. Generations of artists have set up their easels in museums to copy a molding, uncover the secrets of a glaze, scrutinize a chiaroscuro, choosing masters with whom to compete in virtuosity and daring. Many have written of their admiration or hatred when facing the works of their peers. Free or learned, often disconcerting, their points of view illuminate our perspective, offering us a chance to discover their history of Western painting.
Cézanne wants to burn the Louvre, and then finally decides not to. Picasso curses Bonnard's pink skies. Ingres hates Géricault. Dalí imagines a rhinoceros in front of Vermeer. Soulages swoons over the golds of Cimabue. Monet dazzles Kandinsky. Delacroix details every droplet of Rubens and notices a coat in Veronese. Gauguin compares Degas's dancers to machines. And Dubuffet finds that, decidedly, works always answer the questions asked of them.
Valérie Mettais is an art historian, author of books on painting, and a lecturer.
Bibliothèque Buffon (5th arrondissement)
Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 4:00 PM in the auditorium
Registration recommended on Billetweb: https://www.billetweb.fr/conference-dialogue-entre-artistes-par-valerie-mettais
Our take on this event
Step behind the canvas to uncover the secret feuds and deep fascinations that fueled the world's greatest painters. An expert art historian invites you to explore how legendary artists defined their own style by wrestling with the legacies of those who came before them.
Explore the history of Western painting through the eyes of the artists themselves during a lecture by art historian Valérie Mettais on Saturday, November 21, 2026. This session examines the fascinating relationships, rivalries, and inspirations between masters across the centuries. Reserved for adults aged 18 and over, this cultural event takes place at the Bibliothèque Buffon. Admission is free, and the venue is fully wheelchair accessible. Join us from 16:00 to 18:00 for this unique look at how painters have historically learned from, challenged, and admired one another's work.
On Saturday, November 21, 2026, the Bibliothèque Buffon in the 5th arrondissement hosts a special lecture led by art historian and author Valérie Mettais. From 16:00 to 18:00, she will guide the audience through the complex dynamics between iconic painters. By looking at how artists such as Picasso, Cézanne, and Delacroix interpreted the works of their peers, the lecture reveals the hidden stories behind the development of Western art, showcasing how admiration and artistic debate have shaped the field.
Designed for an audience aged 18 and up, this presentation offers an in-depth analysis of art history within the library's auditorium. The venue is fully accessible to wheelchair users, ensuring a comfortable experience for all attendees.
Entry to the lecture is free of charge. Since seating is limited, it is highly recommended that you secure your spot in advance by booking your ticket online via Billetweb.
