Considered more challenging than painting or transversal themes of study, sculpture has nevertheless undergone a revival within the realm of research (notably monographic studies), often thanks to the dynamism of museums. For the past decade, the Musée Rodin has sought to encourage young researchers to explore modern-era sculpture (particularly from the 19^th and the first half of the 20^th centuries), in collaboration with professors specialised in this realm of research. To this end, the museum hosts an annual symposium, allowing PhD students, young doctorate holders and young curators to contrast and compare their subjects and perspectives.

Thursday 21^st and Friday 22^nd September 2023, 9am-5pm

Paris, Musée Rodin, Léonce Bénédite Auditorium, with live streaming

Headed by Professor Claire Barbillon, Director of the École du Louvre, Paris

Presentation

Considered more challenging than painting or transversal themes of study, sculpture has nevertheless undergone a revival within the realm of research (notably monographic studies), often thanks to the dynamism of museums. Following the late-1986 opening of the Musée d’Orsay, 19^th-century sculpture has progressively freed itself from its previous prolific and academic image that saw it described as ‘boring’ by none other than Baudelaire.

For the past decade, the Musée Rodin has sought to encourage young researchers to explore modern-era sculpture (particularly from the 19^th and the first half of the 20^th centuries), in collaboration with professors specialised in this realm of research. To this end, the museum hosts an annual symposium, allowing PhD students, young doctorate holders and young curators to contrast and compare their subjects and perspectives. A new specific theme or orientation is proposed each year.

For 2023, marking this programme’s 10^th anniversary, the organisers desire the broadest range possible of research issues and debates centred on sculpture. Therefore, shall be favoured international submissions of pertinence to all fields of sculptural research, and notably:

• Object biographies.
• Global vs. local histories.
• Gender studies.
• Vandalism and post-colonial studies.

Submission guidelines

Proposals containing a title, a presentation summary (problem-oriented, comprising 1,500-2,000 characters), and a short biography (1,000 characters) should be sent by e-mail to: colloques@musee-rodin.fr

before June 12, 2023.

The selected candidates shall be informed 7 days following an assessment of all proposals by the selection committee. The presentations shall last 20 minutes each and be recorded, to be subsequently made available online via the Musée Rodin website.

Scientific Committee and organisers

• Professor Claire Barbillon, Director of the École du Louvre
• Amélie Simier, Director of the Musée Rodin and Senior curator
• Véronique Mattiussi, Head of the Research Division at the Musée Rodin
• Franck Joubin, Researcher and Conference Coordinator at the Musée Rodin