Contemporary · Architecture

Musée du Montparnasse

Paris

Musée du Montparnasse is an art museum at 21 Avenue du Maine in Montparnasse, Paris, France. It opened on May 28, 1998, in a 1900 building that formerly housed the studio of Russian painter Marie Vassilieff. The museum was founded by Roger Pic and Jean-Marie Drot and is supported by a nonprofit association called Amigos del Museo de Montparnasse.

The museum presents the history of many artists who came to live and work in Montparnasse from the early 20th century. It also stages temporary exhibitions of works by past and present artists from Montparnasse. The site is linked to the cultural life of the area through Marie Vassilieff’s former house, which served as a private club and dining room for artists before and during World War I. The canteen charged low prices to painters such as Amedeo Modigliani, Chaïm Soutine, and Pablo Picasso, and it became a well-known meeting place for artists. The museum also offers a monthly nighttime meeting for members as part of an affiliation program, with a variety of cultural events.

Map showing the location of Musée du Montparnasse in Paris
Location of Musée du Montparnasse in Paris

Nearby Objects

The Museum Site and Its Artistic Legacy

The Musee du Montparnasse is located at 21 Avenue du Maine in Montparnasse, Paris, and opened on May 28, 1998. It occupies a 1900 building that once housed the former studio of the Russian painter Marie Vassilieff. The museum was founded by Roger Pic and Jean-Marie Drot and is supported by the nonprofit association Amigos del Museo de Montparnasse.

The institution presents the history of many artists who came to live and work in Montparnasse from the early 20th century, and it also organizes temporary exhibitions of works by past and present artists from Montparnasse. Its setting is closely linked to Marie Vassilieff, who opened her house as a private club and dining room for artists before and during World War I. The dining room charged the lowest prices to painters such as Amedeo Modigliani, Chaim Soutine, and Pablo Picasso, and it became a meeting place for many artists in the area. By 1913, the Vassilieff canteen was as well known as Marie Vassilieff herself. Sculptor and filmmaker Fernand Leger also gave two lectures on modern art at her house.

The museum continues to engage visitors and members through a monthly nighttime meeting as part of an affiliation program, offering a range of cultural events.