Reviewed by: Grace Howard
Monet to Matisse exhibition coming to Birmingham Museum of Art in 2026
Reading time: 3 minutes
Mark your calendars! The iconic and unforgettable French works of Monet, Matisse, Chagall, Degas, Renoir and others are coming to the Birmingham Museum of Art (BMA).
Beginning January 30, 2026, BMA will premiere Monet to Matisse: French Moderns, 1850–1950, an exhibition of over 100 masterworks with more than half from the Brooklyn Museum European collection.
One of the most significant art exhibition to come to Birmingham
The exhibition, presented by PNC Bank, highlights France’s role as the epicenter of modernism during a time of profound social, intellectual, and political change.
“As one of the most significant exhibitions of French modern art to come to Birmingham, Monet to Matisse: French Moderns, 1850–1950 offers a rare opportunity to experience the revolutionary spirit of these artists up close. From the dreamlike brushstrokes of Monet to the bold colors of Matisse, this exhibition reflects the radical creativity that forever changed the course of art history.”
Graham C. Boettcher, R. Hugh Daniel Director of the Birmingham Museum of Art
In addition to the works from the Brooklyn Museum, which include paintings, sculptures and works on paper, the BMA will nearly double the size of the exhibition with its own distinguished collection.
A treasured Magic City attraction, BMA has one of the finest collections of art in the Southeast with more than 30,000 objects displayed and housed within the Museum.
“We are delighted to enhance this remarkable exhibition with fifty works from our own distinguished permanent collection. These additions not only showcase the contributions of French artists but also highlight the influence of Japanese visionaries who shaped the modernist movement and the American artists who carried its legacy forward, offering a more expansive view of modernism’s global resonance.”
Graham C. Boettcher, R. Hugh Daniel Director of the Birmingham Museum of Art
Workshops, lectures & tours planned
Along with the exhibition BMA will host a number of public programs in conjunction with Monet to Matisse: French Moderns, 1850–1950, including:
- Lectures
- Guided tours
- Interactive workshops
They are also producing an illustrated catalogue that will be on sale at the Museum Store.
Ticket prices and purchasing details for Monet to Matisse, which runs between January 30 to May 24, 2026 will be available at a later date. Visit artsbma.org and subscribe to their newsletter for the latest updates.
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