On Rue de Grenelle in Paris’s 7th arrondissement, Musée Maillol pairs the sculpture of Aristide Maillol with works from founder Dina Vierny’s collection and changing exhibitions of modern and contemporary art. The permanent collection spans sculpture, drawings, paintings, engravings and decorative art, with works by artists including Degas, Matisse and Picasso. Temporary shows have covered subjects from Robert Doisneau’s photographs to contemporary artists. The museum is compact enough to explore at a gentler pace than Paris’s largest museums, and a free audio guide is available.
Maillol and the museum’s collection
Musée Maillol is dedicated to the work of Aristide Maillol, the French sculptor, painter and printmaker. The collection includes sculpture, drawings, engravings, paintings and decorative art, as well as original plaster and terracotta works. Maillol’s sculpture is presented alongside other parts of his artistic practice, giving the collection more than one way into his work.
The museum also displays works from the personal collection of Dina Vierny, Maillol’s model and the museum’s founder. Her collection brings together art by 20th-century masters, including Henri Rousseau, Paul Cézanne, Edgar Degas, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Raoul Dufy and Suzanne Valadon. The range gives the permanent displays a broader context than a single-artist collection alone.
Dina Vierny and the museum’s beginnings
Dina Vierny founded the museum, which opened in 1995. She had been Maillol’s model and later assembled the personal collection represented in its galleries. The museum’s connection to both Vierny and Maillol shapes its two strands: works by the sculptor and art collected by Vierny.
Maillol is recognised as a major figure in 20th-century sculpture. His simplified, harmonious forms influenced later artists, including Pablo Picasso and Henry Moore. The collection’s sculptures offer a close look at the forms and approach associated with his work.
Temporary exhibitions and audio guide
Temporary exhibitions bring different artists and subjects into the museum. Past shows have included photography by Robert Doisneau, whose images document life in Paris and elsewhere in France, and exhibitions devoted to artists such as Andres Serrano and Fujita. The programme changes, so check the current exhibition details when planning your visit.
The displays can connect temporary works with Maillol’s permanent collection. A free audio guide, narrated by artists, provides another way to follow the exhibitions. Some shows include explanatory text in French, so check the language information for a specific exhibition if that matters to your visit.
Perguntas frequentes
Is there an admission fee for Musée Maillol?
Yes. Admission is charged, but no ticket price is provided here. Tickets in advance are recommended for popular exhibitions.
What can you see at Musée Maillol?
The museum has works by Aristide Maillol, pieces from Dina Vierny’s collection and changing exhibitions of modern and contemporary art.
Is there an audio guide?
Yes. A free audio guide narrated by artists is available.
Is Musée Maillol wheelchair accessible?
The museum has a wheelchair-accessible entrance, elevator and restroom.
