Exhibition "Artists at the Museum"

Thanks to its galleries, greenhouses, and menagerie, the Museum offered the man nicknamed "le Douanier Rousseau" the opportunity to observe exotic animals and plants without leaving Paris.

Like him, a host of artists have taken advantage of this privileged access to the Museum's collections and spaces, both to stimulate their inspiration and to contribute to the construction of naturalist knowledge. Through the centuries, the representation of animals, plants, and minerals has proven essential to the development of natural sciences.

Since its creation in 1626, the Jardin des Plantes has been the theater of a true symbiosis between art and science. Painting, sculpture, drawing, photography, taxidermy, cinema, architecture… Journey through 400 years of perspectives on a science that never ceases to renew itself.

Artists' Entrance

Who are the artists at the Museum?

The institution attracts very varied profiles: researchers describing new species, painters fascinated by wildlife scenes, a drawing teacher passionate about zoology, or even a photographer playing with underwater lights. Some followed a Fine Arts school, others a biology background, but all have frequented the Museum or participated in expeditions to nourish their work.

Whether they became famous or remained in the shadow of laboratories, their work celebrates the beauty of the natural world through the quest for scientific accuracy.

The Scientific Image Factory

How do artists and researchers work to produce scientific images at the Museum?

Drawing, engraving, painting, or photography: different techniques are used to meet the challenges of representation in natural sciences. The creation of these images follows certain steps and meets very specific standards to support and complement the discourses produced by researchers.

The Museum thus becomes a laboratory for not only biological but also artistic experiments, where often innovative processes are developed. Vellum painting, camera lucida, microscopy, use of colors… Between age-old traditions, new technologies, and the illusory quest for perfect objectivity, scientific imagery brings a particular perspective to the world, which finds echoes in other artistic practices.

A Real Art Gallery!

As early as the 17th century, there was artistic production at the Jardin des Plantes aimed at promoting the institution and making naturalist knowledge accessible to as many people as possible. Beyond a place of research, it was also a showcase of royal power as evidenced by the richly detailed engravings and plans.

After the Revolution and the fall of the monarchy, the Museum continued to commission statues or spectacular paintings from great masters. It acquired various art collections to amaze visitors and called upon famous architects for its buildings.

Artists such as Salvador Dalí, Bernard Buffet, François Pompon, Chris Marker, or even Alberto Giacometti came to find inspiration in this exceptional setting. The presence of artists is encouraged there through reserved hours, residencies, and exhibitions.

Stroll through the different worlds of the Museum to encounter their works.

Engaged Artists

Relations between arts and sciences are evolving with contemporary challenges for the future of the planet. A major scientific reference, the Museum attracts creators concerned about these issues.

Some partner with researchers to alert about the effects of global warming, pollution, and mass extinction of species.