<Animalia Exhibition: When Animals Inspire Artists Across the Centuries at the Hôtel de la Marine — Art News
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museum exhibitions calendar_today Monday, April 27, 2026

Animalia Exhibition: When Animals Inspire Artists Across the Centuries at the Hôtel de la Marine

The Hôtel de la Marine in Paris will host "Animalia," an exhibition drawn from the Al Thani Collection, from July 1, 2026 to January 10, 2027. Featuring over 120 sculptures, paintings, and decorative works, the show explores how animals have inspired artists across centuries and cultures, from ancient Greece to modern times and from China to the Ivory Coast.

The exhibition matters because it offers a rare public viewing of treasures from the prestigious Al Thani Collection, highlighting the enduring symbolic power of animals in art—representing themes like power, wisdom, and love. By juxtaposing works from diverse eras and geographies, "Animalia" provides a cross-cultural dialogue that enriches understanding of both artistic craftsmanship and societal beliefs.