The Navy and Painters. Four Centuries of Art and Power

From 2026 05 13

Grand public

#Exposition

As part of the 400th anniversary of the French Navy in 2026, the French National Maritime Museum presents a major exhibition dedicated to the painters who, from the 17th to the 20th century, shaped the visual representation of naval history. Featuring nearly 150 artworks, this original exhibition explores the connections between art, power and the maritime world.

The exhibition

Peinture représentant des matelots à bord du croiseur français Desaix en 1884, scène de vie quotidienne sur un navire de guerre. — Matelots à bord du croiseur Desaix - Etienne Berne-Bellecour, 1884 © Musée national de la Marine/P.Dantec

A fresh perspective on naval painters

As part of the celebrations marking 400 years of the French Navy, this exhibition invites visitors to rediscover the painters who accompanied, documented and sometimes glorified French maritime history. Long overlooked in traditional art history narratives, this body of work is brought to light through an exceptional selection of approximately 150 paintings.

Art, power and the maritime world

From the 17th century onwards, the affirmation of sovereign power was also expressed through the arts. While marine painting, traditionally associated with landscape art, introduced a renewed perception of the sea and maritime environments, artists were commissioned to enhance the image of the Navy and the maritime world. Among them are Claude Lorrain, Vernet, Gudin, Morel-Fatio, Manet, Ziem, Signac, Marquet, Méheut and Marin-Marie.

Four centuries of creativity, from the picturesque to the avant-garde

The exhibition follows the major artistic movements from classicism to the avant-garde of the 20th century, reflecting the technical, political and aesthetic transformations of modernity. The rise of leisure sailing, seaside resorts and sea bathing profoundly changed perceptions of the sea, inspiring new artistic forms while preserving the distinctive features of naval representation.

Painters, status and institutions

The exhibition also examines the complex relationships between the Navy and artists: painters for the King’s seas, painters of the Royal Navy, and later the Official Painters of the Navy (Peintres officiels de la Marine – POM), a corps established in 1830. It highlights the diversity of artistic paths and statuses while questioning the role of military and cultural institutions in artistic creation.

Painted view of the port of La Ciotat in 1664, showing harbour facilities and ships during the Ancien Régime. — Le port de la Ciotat en 1664 - Jean-Baptiste de la Rose © Musée national de la Marine/P.Dantec

Large painted composition showing the French fleet sailing from Cherbourg to Brest in the mid-19th century. — La flotte française se rendant de Cherbourg à Brest, 1858 - Théodore Gudin © Musée national de la Marine/P.Dantec

Painting showing a naval squadron at sea in the early 20th century, symbolising naval power. — Escadre à la mer - Léon Couturier, vers 1910 © Musée national de la Marine/P.Dantec

Painting depicting the official visit of President Émile Loubet to the French and Italian fleets in the port of Toulon in 1901. — Toulon, visite du Président Loubet aux escadres française et italienne, 10 avril 1901 - Félix Ziem, 1901, Toulon © Musée national de la Marine/P.Dantec

Painting illustrating the launch of the ship Maximus near Marseille in the 19th century, a key moment in shipbuilding. — Le lancement du Maximus dans les environs de Marseille - François Barry, 1869 © Musée national de la Marine/P.Dantec

Celebrating 400 years of the French Navy

Grande composition peinte montrant la flotte française en navigation entre Cherbourg et Brest au milieu du XIXᵉ siècle. — La flotte française se rendant de Cherbourg à Brest, 1858 - Théodore Gudin © Musée national de la Marine/P.Dantec

The Navy and Painters. Four Centuries of Art and Power is a key moment in this anniversary year, alongside the 46th Salon of the Navy, held concurrently at the museum. The exhibition and the Salon will be accompanied by lectures, round tables, talks and film screenings.

Since its founding in the mid-18th century, the French National Maritime Museum has been a gateway to the history of the French Navy, from its origins to contemporary challenges. A major actor in strengthening the link between the armed forces and the nation, the museum will celebrate the Navy’s 400th anniversary throughout 2026 across its entire network, with a dedicated programme of events and special projects.

First highlights of the programme:

Conference “400 Years of Naval Operations” — with the French Navy, Sorbonne University, the Defence Historical Service (SHD) and the Naval Academy
Maritime history lecture series — with the French Society for Maritime History, SHD, the National Archives, the Academy of the Navy and the Centre for Naval Strategic Studies
Film lectures around feature films produced by the French Navy
Lectures organised by the Friends of the French National Maritime Museum (AAMM) and the Academy of the Navy