The exhibition ‘Christian Bérard, Eccentric Baby’ has just opened at Villa Paloma, presented by the New National Museum of Monaco (NMNM).

The exhibition brings together more than 300 paintings, drawings, photographs and interior decorations, retracing the life of Christian Bérard (1902-1949).

Affectionately nicknamed “Baby” by his friends, Bérard was a painter, illustrator, scenographer, fashion designer, decorator and costume designer for theatre and cinema, and was a major artistic figure of the 1930s and 1940s.

Over three floors of Villa Paloma, the exhibition examines his numerous stays in the south, in particular in Monaco where he worked with the Ballets Russes, and his multiple collaborations with the likes of Jean Cocteau, Louis Jouvet, Christian Dior and Gabrielle Chanel.

Chief Curator of the NMNM Célia Bernasconi was curator of the exhibition, while decorator Jacques Grange was in charge of the staging. Guest artist Nick Mauss has laid out a journey that has no chronological order or classification by discipline, but addresses the three major themes in the work and life of the artist: the Interiors, the Marvelous and the Mediterranean.

‘Christian Bérard, Eccentric Baby’ is on show at Villa Paloma, 56 boulevard du Jardin Exotique, until 16th October 2022

Photo by Michael Alesi, Government Communication Department