Auctioneer Francis Briest, President of Espace Musées and Laurent Lebon, President of the Picasso museum

Terminal 2E, Hall M was voted “Best airport terminal in the world” in 2016, announced its president Augustin de Romanet, when he inaugurated the fabulous “Picasso Plein Soleil” show in the luxurious duty free shop at Charles de Gaulle airport. You can all go and see this free museum if you depart to the US or Mexico and many other destinations. Thirty five paintings, sculptures and ceramics by Pablo Picasso were lent by Musée Picasso and its president, the very witty Laurent Lebon. 6000 visitors transit daily through this terminal and this is the only art museum located in an airport in the world! 

Pablo Picasso, Small cooking pot decorated with a farandole and figure carrying a giant dove, Vallauris, August 11, 1950

When Francis Briest, founder of Artcurial culture, had the idea of creating this museum space five years ago, noone believed he would succeed! Now, he stands as a precursor of a new genre. Art enters duty free shop areas and everyone wins, especially customers who spend more and more time in airports! Of course, one could say it is a pity that you discover French museums as you leave the country and not before. But that means you will want to come back!

“Nu couché et homme jouant de la guitare”, 1970

Since the beginning, Anne de Turenne is, through Artcurial culture,  the producer of the exhibitions with Alexandre Antuszewicz and designer Hubert le Gall, who signs the scenography. This time it is particularly brilliant.

Anne de Turenne, the producer and Agnès Renoult, PR for the Picasso Museum

Starting in May 1948, life in Vallauris with Françoise Gilot was a happy time for the artist and it  is well illustrated with Picasso’s ceramics. But also with “La Chèvre”, 1950, painted after Esmeralda, the real goat the artist owned in Cannes and “Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe d’après Manet”, 1961, as well as a delightful little sculpture of plaster and wood, “La liseuse”, 1951-53.

Laurent Lebon, the excellent president of Musée Picasso gave out a hilarious speech with “sex, sun and art” as a motto for success. He mentioned that the very large paintings lent for the show, had rarely left the Museum. It is therefore a unique choice of works that was made and it is a must to go and see them.

Hubert Le Gall, the excellent scenographer, and Alexandre Antuszewicz

What makes this show very special is the incredible care with which the works were selected. The variety of mediums, sizes and shapes, adapted fantastically to the fairly small space and it is an incredible pleasure to the eye to discover the gallery. After five years and six exhibitions including Rodin, Dubuffet, Sèvres porcelains and furniture from Mobilier National, Espace Musées, presided by Francis Briest, shows how successful art can be in a commercial environment. The exhibition takes place until June 15, in Hall M of Terminal 2E of Charles de Gaulle airport.