Céret Museum: 75 years of art, memories and friendships
The Céret Museum of Modern Art is commemorating its 75th anniversary with an exhibition that explores the enduring impact of figures such as Picasso, Matisse, Chagall and Miró.
Over seventy-five years, the Musée d'Art Moderne de Céret has woven a history driven by passion, friendship and the transformative power of art. At the heart of this special anniversary, the commemorative exhibition highlights how a small town in the south of France became, thanks to the affection and vision shared with great artists of the 20th century, a true creative haven where art and life intertwine daily.
A museum built on artistic connections
Nestled in El Vallespir, in the south of France and very close to the border with Catalonia, Céret is a small town of around 8,000 inhabitants that has undergone an extraordinary transformation thanks to art. Over the years, its peaceful atmosphere and special light have attracted artists who found here a refuge, a source of inspiration and space to let their creativity run wild.
The adventure of the Céret Museum of Modern Art began in 1950 driven by passion and friendship. The initial enthusiasm of painter Pierre Brune and collector Frank Burty Haviland was joined by artists such as Picasso and Matisse, who felt at home in Céret. Thus, what began as a small creative refuge became increasingly filled with life, ideas and shared affection.
Back in those years, Céret attracted figures such as Braque, Juan Gris and Chagall, who found in the light and calm of the village the ideal place to create and share. That bond, forged with generosity and affection, is still evident today: the museum is the sum of the artworks, stories and friendships that, together, tell the magical story of a place where art and humanity go hand in hand.
Today, the museum is much more than a collection of paintings and sculptures. It is a space where personal stories, generous legacies and shared memories come to life. Among its treasures are works such as Matisse's Grande Tête de Femme and pieces by Chagall, Tàpies, Miró, Claude Viallat and Vincent Bioulès, among many others, which tell not only the history of art, but also the stories of those who chose Céret as their creative home.
An exhibition about long-standing artistic relationships
To mark its 75th anniversary, the Céret Museum of Modern Art is opening its doors with a very special exhibition: 75 Years of Friendship: the Artists and the Museum. From April 2024 until November 2025, visitors from all over the world will be able to immerse themselves in an exhibition that, apart from displaying artworks, celebrates shared stories, encounters and the warmth of the bonds between these artists and the museum.
Under the watchful and sensitive oversight of Jean-Roch Dumont Saint Priest and Aude Marchand, the exhibition invites visitors to rediscover how friendship and creativity have shaped the museum over time, turning every corner into a witness to unique moments and unforgettable experiences.
The exhibition is organised around three themes that provide a comprehensive overview of both the history and spirit of the museum. The first one, The Origins, pays tribute to those who, with generosity and a pioneering spirit, such as Picasso, Matisse and Chagall, laid the foundations of the museum and forged close ties with Céret.
The second theme, The Years of Expansion, transports us back to the vibrant decades of the 1960s and 1970s, when the museum became a meeting place for creative people from many different places, sparking unexpected collaborations and new artistic languages.
Finally, The Shared Present opens a window onto the museum's current vitality, providing space for contemporary voices from the south of France and Catalonia and reasserting the open, borderless spirit that defines the institution.
Photo: Nicolas Giganto
Furthermore, to celebrate this anniversary, the museum has revamped the way it displays art: the experience is now more intimate and immersive, inviting visitors to explore the evolution of Céret as a haven for creativity. For this reason, the celebrations have spread beyond the galleries, with a programme of activities that seeks to strengthen community bonds and includes guided tours, creative workshops for all ages, lectures, concerts and meetings with artists. Everything is designed so that art will continue to develop in the company and dialogue of every person who walks through the door.
