The Musée d'Orsay in Paris staged a mock trial of Édouard Manet and his model Victorine Meurent for his 1863 painting *Déjeuner sur l'herbe*, which caused scandal at the Salon des Refusés for its depiction of a nude woman with clothed men. The event, part of the museum's Orsay Live program for 18-to-25-year-olds, featured real lawyers, a sitting judge, and students from the Fédération française de Débat et d'Éloquence, with speeches reviewed by Manet specialist Isolde Pludermacher. The trial aimed to explore themes of public morality, feminism, and freedom of expression, with roles including a female student portraying Manet.
This mock trial matters because it demonstrates how cultural institutions are using innovative, participatory formats to engage younger audiences with historical art and contemporary social issues. By bringing art and law into dialogue, the Musée d'Orsay addresses enduring debates about censorship, artistic freedom, and gender representation, while also honoring the legacy of former president Sylvain Amic, who conceived the project before his death. The event reflects a broader trend among museums like Versailles and Mucem to experiment with immersive programming that makes art history relevant to new generations.