‘Animalia’ exhibition: When animals take centre stage

On display until 10 January 2027 at the Hôtel de la Marine, the exhibition ‘Animalia: A Bestiary from the Al-Thani Collection’ celebrates the relationship between humans and animals across nearly 4 millennia of civilisation.

What if the history of art began with the depiction of animals? Present since the Palaeolithic era in the form of cave paintings, humankind has sought to depict animals for millennia. Whether by identifying with them, dreaming about them, domesticating them or treating them as sacred, humankind has made the depiction of animals a mirror of its own existence.

For its fifth exhibition in Paris, the Al-Thani Collection traces this dialogue from the 3rd millennium BC to the early 20th century. Through these four dimly lit rooms, where the artworks seem to float, visitors are taken on a journey through time, but also across cultures. From Pharaonic Egypt to Asia, via modern Europe, each civilisation has made the bestiary its own.

Animals: from the sacred to power

With nearly 120 works on display, the temporary exhibition spaces at the Hôtel de la Marine immerse visitors in the world of wildlife. Fascinated by animals since time immemorial, humankind has continually depicted them, giving rise to a variety of interpretations. In ancient Egypt, for example, several deities are depicted in animal form, explains Hélène de Givry, head of scientific content at the Al Thani Collection. This link to the sacred also appears in legends and tales, where creatures are both celebrated and fought against.

Beyond mere belief, the depiction of animals is a symbol of power. “Many of the works we are exhibiting are linked to prestigious commissions from kings and emperors. So these works, in one way or another, often serve to illustrate their power,” points out Hélène de Givry. Whilst mammals such as the lion and the tiger spring to mind, the horse also features on the list. Domesticated by humans around 2000 BC, it became one of the most admired emblems of power and prestige. The second room of the ‘Animalia’ exhibition is entirely dedicated to it.

Far more than merely an observer seeking to advance science, man has also sought to draw closer to the animal world by emulating its physical characteristics. “In a number of objects linked to shamanism – such as statuettes found in Peruvian culture or amongst the Olmecs in Mexico – several depictions are anthropomorphic. There is therefore a fusion here between animal and human characteristics,” comments Hélène de Givry.

Understanding animals

Open to a range of interpretations, these depictions of animals portray not only humankind, but also a culture. With the help of supporting documentation, a more historical analysis can be carried out. The places where they were discovered, the materials used, and any symbols featured in the artwork all provide clues to understanding them.

This clarification also involves observation, something the head of scientific content at the Al Thani Collection wished to highlight in the exhibition: ‘We are truly committed to ensuring that visitors can enjoy a moment of aesthetic contemplation of these works, and observation is absolutely essential to understanding them. ’Displayed in dimly lit showcases, visitors are therefore invited to pause in front of the works and, above all, to keep their eyes peeled.

To find out more about the world of wildlife, “Animalia: A Bestiary from the Al-Thani Collection” is on display until 10 January 2027 at the Hôtel de la Marine.

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