The Musée de Picardie in Amiens is hosting an exceptional exhibition dedicated to Albert Maignan, a key figure of the Belle Époque who had long faded from public memory. A cultural event not to be missed.
A Forgotten Name, a Monumental Legacy
Albert Maignan posant devant le carton de Jupiter et Sémélé, vers 1902, Amiens, Musée de Picardie.
© Archives Musée de Picardie.
You may only know his name, or recall a fleeting sketch glimpsed in a museum. Yet Albert Maignan (1845–1908) was a central figure in 19th-century French painting, a prestigious decorator of Paris during the Belle Époque, and a keen observer of his time. In Amiens, the Musée de Picardie — guardian of his studio collection — is now offering a major retrospective, open to the public until January 4, 2026.
An Immersive Exhibition at the Heart of the Belle Époque
Historical scenes, murals, stained-glass designs, travel sketches… the exhibition showcases an impressively multifaceted body of work. Albert Maignan was at once a history painter, illustrator, decorator, and master colorist. From the foyer of the Opéra-Comique to the ceilings of Le Train Bleu, his work adorned some of the most iconic public spaces of the Third Republic.
But this exhibition goes beyond grandeur. It also reveals Maignan’s humanist eye, attentive to emotion, forgotten figures, and archaeological detail. Through over 350 works — including many drawings and preparatory studies — the exhibition immerses us in a deeply narrative, poetic, and socially engaged form of painting.
Why You Should See This Exhibition in Amiens
- Because it shines new light on a major but underappreciated painter of the Belle Époque
- Because it brings together restored and previously unseen works from public and private collections
- Because it reveals an artist at the crossroads of symbolism, naturalism, and decorative arts
- And because the Musée de Picardie, recently renovated, provides a stunning setting for this rediscovery
🎨 Coming soon in our next issue!
Our editorial team is preparing a special feature on Albert Maignan : exclusive interviews, exhibition highlights, and our selection of the works not to miss.
📍 Albert Maignan: A Virtuoso of the Belle Époque
📌 Musée de Picardie, Amiens
📅 On view through January 4, 2026