A new exhibition at the Salle d’Exposition du Quai Antoine Ier is offering a rare glimpse into the artistic evolution of Monegasque painter Hubert Clerissi, showcasing 55 works spanning from the 1950s to the 1990s.
This unique retrospective, designed to highlight the painter’s deep-rooted connection to architecture and his personal quest for artistic freedom, is open to the public until March 12.
Curated with the involvement of Clerissi’s family, the exhibition explores the interplay between order and spontaneity in his work, influenced by his father, Étienne Clerissi, a renowned architect and watercolour specialist. The exhibition’s design reflects this dynamic, illustrating how the painter moved from structured, precise lines to a more expressive and emotive style over the decades.
Nadia Clerissi, the artist’s daughter and the artistic director of the exhibition, emphasized the significance of her father’s perspective, noting how his meticulous attention to vanishing points, depth, and movement is evident across his paintings—whether in depictions of trains, schooners, or urban landscapes. She highlighted his early influences from painters such as Maurice Utrillo and Raoul Dufy, describing how his figurative approach gradually evolved into a more interpretative and emotionally driven style.
Visitors will discover a collection that masterfully bridges the worlds of architecture and painting, capturing the essence of Monaco’s cultural heritage through the eyes of an artist who spent decades refining his craft.
