The Museum of Art and History of Judaism (known as “The mahJ”), located in the exquisite 17th-century Hôtel de Saint-Aignan in the historic Marais neighborhood of Paris, has announced its upcoming exhibitions for 2022, including showcasing Marcel Proust through a new light, as well as spotlighting the work of photographer Jacques Perez.
From April 14 to August 28, 2022, the mahJ will present a new exhibition titled: Marcel Proust. On his Mother’s Side. Marking the centenary of Proust’s death, the exhibition explores the personality and work of Marcel Proust (1871-1922) who, after her death in 1905, had a desire to “do something that would have pleased mother.” Featuring 230 paintings, drawings, prints and documents, the exhibition includes major works by Monet (one of his favorite painters), Rodin, Bonnard and Vuillard, as well as a proof of Swann’s Way. The exhibition is the first in France to focus on Proust through the lens of his relationship with Judaism. The exhibition illustrates the author’s social life and opinions, while also exploring the similarities between the structure of Proustian manuscripts and that of the Talmud, as well as focusing on the Jewish characters in In Search of Lost Time.
From June 2 to December 31, 2022, visitors will be able to view works by photographer Jacques Perez in the exhibition Pilgrimage to Djerba. Photographs by Jacques Perez, 1980. The island of Djerba in southern Tunisia is home to one of the oldest and most famous synagogues in the world, the Ghriba. The community around this synagogue, which dates back to the Middle Ages, was documented by Jacques Perez in 1979-1980 in a series of colorful photographs that illustrate their ancestral traditions. Perez, now 90 years old, was born in Tunis in 1932, the son of a Tunisian Jewish father and a German mother; throughout his storied career in photography, he focused exclusively on Tunisia and its inhabitants.
The mahJ also continues to host tours of the Marais neighborhood to help visitors discover the Jewish history, food and culture that surrounds the museum. The experience starts with a tour of the permanent collection followed by a walk around the neighborhood, led by an English-speaking guide. Upcoming tours will be held on June 19, August 7 and August 22, 2022.
About The Museum of Art and History of Judaism
The Museum of Art and History of Judaism is one of the leading history and art museums in Paris. Since its opening in 1998, the “mahJ” has been devoted to showcasing major artworks from influential Jewish artists and sharing the history of Judaism in France, as well as throughout Europe and the Mediterranean. The mahJ collection comprises more than 12,000 works from antiquity to the present day and a wealth of archival materials. The museum also provides a number of educational programs to younger generations on Jewish art and culture and hosts a variety of events and activities for all ages throughout the year.
