WHAT
The exhibition consists of almost 300 portraits displayed together for the first time in Shanghai. This is the third installation in the museum’s semi-permanent exhibition, the purpose of which is to showcase the richness of the portraiture genre, and to reveal the untold stories behind the portraits. The works – dating from 1895 to the present – come from the Centre Pompidou (Paris) collection. Following a theme-based organisation instead of chronological order, the works are showcased in 15 sections, highlighting the multiple components of the portraits.

WHY
The exhibition emphasises the objectives of portraiture, and how it is people who make up society. Showcasing portraits that span many years, each piece is a revealing snapshot of society and provides the context in which that portrait was created. With images of famous figures and forgotten artists side by side, audiences have the opportunity to glance into the faces that tell stories of their respective time periods.