The Musée de l’Image in Épinal (France) is presenting a retrospective titled Un art entre révolte & rêver (Art between rebellion and dream), featuring a selection of works by Frans Masereel (1889–1972). Masereel used his art to denounce capitalism, social injustices, the excesses of industrialization, and colonialism as they existed in his time. Masereel explores the relationships between men and women, everyday life in big cities, the interplay between isolation and the anonymous masses, and society’s marginalized groups. He combines symbolism with naturalism to evoke a world marked by violence, to combat all forms of oppression, and to call for peace and justice. His woodcut series, which depict social reality, the horrors of war, the urban landscapes of modern metropolises, everyday life, and marginalized groups, have been published in albums such as “La Ville” (The City), “L’Oeuvre” (The Work), and “La Sirène” (The Mermaid). His work seems to have lost none of its relevance; the themes Masereel explored graphically continue to shape our worldview today. Less well known is that Frans Masereel was interested in decorative art. The exhibition highlights this aspect of his work with numerous artifacts and will be shown till September 20, 2026.
see also see also the video about the Musée de l’Image in Épinal. Besides some more information abot the exposition it gives an overview of the museum’s activities and its future prospects. The video offers the possibility to change the language from french to english in the settings.