Doha: HE Chairperson of Qatar Museums Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani inaugurated “Seeing Is Believing: The Art and Influence of Gerome,” a significant exhibition that delves into the art and legacy of the renowned French painter and sculptor Jean-Leon Gerome (1824-1904). According to Qatar News Agency, the exhibition, organised in honour of the 200th anniversary of the artist’s birth, is a collaborative effort by the upcoming Lusail Museum and Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art. It has been curated by Emily Weeks, Guest Curator of Lusail Museum; Giles Hudson, Curator of Photographs at Lusail Museum; and Sara Raza, Guest Curator at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art.
On view until February 22, 2025, the exhibition features over 300 works, arranged into three interconnected sections that invite viewers to reconsider Gerome’s art and its impact through both historical and contemporary perspectives. The opening was attended by notable figures such as Dr. Julia Gonnella, Director of Lusail Museum, and Zeina
Arida, Director of Mathaf.
Seeing Is Believing explores Gerome’s life and travels throughout the Middle East and North Africa, highlighting his influence on European perceptions of the region. The exhibition includes iconic paintings from the Lusail Museum’s Orientalist art collection, complemented by pieces from Mathaf’s Arab modern art collection and Qatar Museums’ general collections. Noteworthy loans from esteemed institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Islamic Arts Museum in Malaysia, as well as private collections and art galleries, further enrich the exhibition.
In a pioneering approach, the exhibition juxtaposes Gerome’s historical works with contemporary art and newly commissioned pieces by artists such as Babi Badalov and Nadia Kaabi-Linke. This integration encourages visitors to critically engage with Gerome’s legacy and assess its significance in today’s global art context.
The exhibition’s three sections, A Wider Lens, A New Gerome, and I Swear I Saw That, offer a
comprehensive exploration of Gerome’s technical mastery and complex legacy. A New Gerome presents new research on Gerome’s life, artistic techniques, and travels, illustrating his influence on later artists. Truth is Stranger than Fiction examines the connection between Gerome’s paintings and contemporary photography, providing insights into how photography influenced his artistic practice. I Swear I Saw That places Gerome’s work in a contemporary, post-colonial context, featuring modern interpretations that challenge traditional narratives.
Seeing Is Believing is part of the legacy of QatarFrance 2020 Year of Culture, a collaborative programme between institutions in both countries. The exhibition, designed by Duncan McCauley Studio in Berlin, is part of the Fall/Winter 2024-2025 Season of Qatar Creates, a platform dedicated to promoting Qatar’s creative industries and cultural activities.