Exhibition Jacques Prévert. Rêveur d'Images

At the Museum of Montmartre-Jardins Renoir

Through to February 16th, 2025.

©Le désert de Retz, s.d., collage sur papier, collection Eugénie Bachelot Prévert

Almost 70 years ago, the poet Jacques Prévert set up home not far from Montmartre, next door to Boris Vian's Cité Véron in the 18th arrondissement, and became one of the district's leading artistic figures. With that in mind, it was only natural that the Musée de Montmartre should pay tribute to his creativity in an exhibition entitled Jacques Prévert: Creating Dreamscapes. While the term "dreamscapes" is inherently visual, people most often associate Prévert with writings, in the form of song lyrics, film scripts and poetry. However, he was also a born designer. Just as he played with words, Prévert knew how to experiment with images with a boundless inventiveness and found his rightful place in the Surrealist movement, whose centenary we are celebrating. His were liberated, inventive poetic and visual works, and they included collaborations with the greatest artists of his time such as Picasso, Calder, Ernst, Braque and Chagall. Prévert was inspired to write by their paintings, which he found admirable and thought-provoking. The exhibition at the Musée de Montmartre is dedicated to the poet's creativity as embodied through the visual arts. Collages, drawings and collector’s books are all on show, bringing some inimitably "Prévert" worlds to life before our very eyes. First, visitors discover just how much his childhood and the Surrealist movement (which he was closely involved in) influenced him. In the second part of the exhibition, we meet Prévert the painter, see how diff erent artforms intertwined and learn about how important his friendships with these geniuses were to his artistic development. Next up is a series of collages using photos, postcards, lithographs and engravings. Prévert gave free rein to his imagination, his boundless inventiveness, his irreverent approach and his poetry. Also worth seeing is his rather remarkable diary made up of blank pages with colourful flower sketches, on which the artist and enthusiast noted down the days of the week and the people he met. The exhibition concludes with a look at Prévert's off ice, which has never before been seen outside the walls of his flat. It was in this amazing cabinet of curiosities that he dreamt up his creations, and it is more deserving than ever of its famous description as "Prévert’s inventory".

This exhibition will delight fans of Jacques Prévert, and give visitors the chance to get to know him better.

12 Rue Cortot

75018 Paris