Hugo décorateur
An exhibition and accompanying book explore Victor Hugo's lesser-known role as an interior decorator, focusing on the elaborate interiors he created for his homes in Paris and during his exile on the island of Guernsey. Curator Gérard Audinet conducted extensive research to reconstruct these lost environments, which were filled with eclectic objects, artworks by friends, and prestigious gifts.
This matters because it reveals a significant, yet under-documented, dimension of the Romantic genius's creative output. The decorative schemes were not merely a pastime during exile but were integral to Hugo's artistic identity and served as manifestos for the Romantic movement, blending personal expression with curated collections of art and artifacts.