The year 2004 marked the bicentenary of the birth of Jean-Léon Gérôme (1824-1904), the French sculptor and painter whom historians ascribe to the artistic style known as academicism, largely centred in France during the nineteenth century.
In 1856 Gérôme visited Egypt for the first time and his travels through the country introduced a major Orientalist element into his practice, evidenced through his depiction of genre scenes, characters and landscapes related to the Arab world, Africa and the Near East. With their erudite and evocative iconography, these exquisitely executed works not only made him one of the most famous painters in his country but attracted the interest of collectors from
all over the world.
The Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art in Doha has dedicated a commemorative exhibition to the painter entitled Seeing Is Believing: The Art and Influence of Gérôme, featuring the extensive collection of Orientalist art from the Lusail Museum for broader context and including works from Mathaf itself as well as significant international loans and new commissions from contemporary artists.
Empty was responsible for developing the project and producing and assembling the exhibition. This entailed the following specific tasks: adaptation of the museum spaces; manufacture and assembly of display cases; installation of works; technical support for preventive conservation (paper and textiles) and assistance for the couriers of the loaning institutions; lighting; graphics; and production and launch of the digital contents, with the collaboration of Kiss the Frog for the interactive resources.
