With his new exhibition, Paésine, Francisco Tropa has transformed the halls of the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco’s Villa Paloma into an immersive exploration of geology, mythology and artistic expression. The exhibit, featuring 50 monographic works—ranging from sculptures to light projections and short films—is on display until 21st April 2025.
Earlier this month, Monaco Life visited the NMNM’s latest exhibit: Paésine by Portuguese artist Francisco Tropa.
The exhibition draws its title from paésine, or ruin marble, a type of stone with naturally occurring patterns that resemble painted landscapes, and explores themes of geology, archaeology and ethnology. It presents a journey through Tropa’s intricate, multi-faceted artistic universe, described by Björn Dahlström, the director of the NMNM, as “an analogical exploration of the natural and artificial, the organic and the mineral.”
The exhibition was inaugurated on 5th December in the presence of notable guests, including Princess Alexandra of Hanover, the artist himself and key patrons of the NMNM. Françoise Gamerdinger, Monaco’s Director of Cultural Affairs, Dahlström and Célia Bernasconi, the exhibition’s curator, were also among the attendees.
Inside Paésine
Tropa’s works have transformed the Villa Paloma into an allegorical environment where rock, water, and light converge to create an atmosphere evocative of a time before museums. Each floor corresponds to a conceptual realm: the underground, the terrestrial, and the celestial culminating in an ascensional journey for visitors.
Central to this narrative are works such as Pietà, a sculpture that subverts Michelangelo’s iconic piece by showcasing the plaster mold used for its bronze reproductions, and Firmament, a trio of sculptures exploring representations of the universe, inspired by sources ranging from Platonic geometry to medieval illuminations.
Meanwhile, the outdoor installation Pénélope is an imposing sculpture that embodies the artist’s fascination with internal spaces and forms, inviting reflection on ancient myths and their resonance in contemporary art.
Tropa is recognised for his ability to bridge disciplines, incorporating elements of sculpture, drawing, photography, performance and film into his work. His career spans decades, with highlights including his representation of Portugal at the 2011 Venice Biennale and his participation at other international events, such as Manifesta and the São Paulo Biennale. Tropa’s projects often delve into historical narratives and reimagine scientific methodologies, blending them with mysticism to construct alternative histories of art.
His works stand out for their precision and focus on materials, ranging from minimalist sculptures to complex mechanical pieces inspired by medieval clockwork. This approach is evident in the exhibition’s centrepiece works, which invite viewers to consider the intersections of time, memory, and representation.
The exhibition is open daily from 10am to 6pm, with admission priced at €6. Entry is free on Sundays and for specific groups, including those under 26, school groups, Monaco residents and others eligible for concessions.
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Main photo credit: Andrea Rossetti / NMNM