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François Morellet – 100 Percent: A Landmark Retrospective

Façade du Centre Pompidou-Metz, bâtiment conçu par Shigeru Ban, reconnaissable à sa toiture ondulante en bois et membrane blanche, photographié à la tombée du jour.



From April 3 to September 28, 2026, the Centre Pompidou-Metz presents François Morellet – 100 Percent, the most extensive retrospective ever dedicated to François Morellet (1926–2016).

Curated by Michel Gauthier, the exhibition brings together one hundred works spanning more than seventy years, offering an in-depth exploration of one of the most radical and influential figures of concrete and abstract art.

Black-and-white portrait of François Morellet with a vertical black stripe on his face, evoking his work on geometry, rules, and chance.
François Morrelet, Mask King Tape, 1985

Between geometric rigor and conceptual irony


François Morellet’s work is built on the tension between strict systems and chance. From early figurative paintings to luminous installations, his art embraces rules, grids and mathematical structures, often subverted by humor and optical disruption.

Influenced by Max Bill and inspired by the architecture of the Alhambra, Morellet developed a visual language that challenges expressive subjectivity in favor of perceptual experience and intellectual play.

Part of the national “100 x Morellet” program

The exhibition is part of 100 x Morellet, a nationwide program launched by the Centre Pompidou to mark the centenary of the artist’s birth.

This ambitious initiative unfolds across France through exhibitions, public installations, conferences and international symposia, reaffirming Morellet’s enduring influence on contemporary art and architecture.

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FAQ

When is the François Morellet exhibition held?

From April 3 to September 28, 2026.

Where is it presented?

At the Centre Pompidou-Metz, Forum and Galerie 3.

Who was François Morellet?

A major French artist associated with concrete and abstract art, known for systems, geometry and conceptual humor.

How many works are shown?

Approximately 100 works spanning over 70 years.

Is this exhibition part of a larger program?

Yes, it belongs to the national 100 x Morellet initiative.