Vidéo : Les secrets de la licorne, créature légendaire au cœur d’une exposition au musée de Cluny
The Musée de Cluny in Paris is presenting an exhibition titled "Licornes!" from March 13 to July 12, 2026, exploring the history and symbolism of the unicorn from antiquity to the present day. Curated by Béatrice de Chancel-Bardelot, the show traces the creature's evolving depiction in literature, illuminated manuscripts, frescoes, tapestries, and contemporary art, highlighting its shifting meanings from a wild, aggressive beast to a symbol of purity, virtue, and, more recently, LGBTQIA+ pride and feminine power.
The exhibition matters because it unpacks the cultural and historical roots of a ubiquitous modern icon, showing how a mythical animal has been reinvented across centuries to reflect changing societal values. By connecting medieval tapestries like "La Dame à la licorne" with works by Niki de Saint Phalle, Rebecca Horn, and Suzanne Husky, the show demonstrates the unicorn's enduring relevance as a symbol of innocence, resistance, and reenchantment in contemporary political and social contexts.