'The Raising of Jairus' Daughter' (1878), by Gabriel von Max. DENIS FARLEY/MBAM, MONTRÉAL
For a subject that has never before been addressed, gathering around 130 works in a space of 300 square meters is a formidable challenge – even more so considering the exhibition was conceived and mounted in just a year and a half, which constitutes a near miracle these days. Yet sometimes miracles do happen: Despite the very tight timeline, the exhibition "L'Empire du sommeil" ("The Empire of Sleep") benefited from exceptional loans from several dozen international institutions, a remarkable feat.
Must-see, off the main route and set apart in the entrance corridor, is Wide Sargasso Sea (1991), created by Paula Rego (1935-2022), which features her family napping on the terrace before they left a then-hostile Portugal to live in England. The display is quite dense, sometimes with two rows of paintings hung one above the other, or even three when there are display cases, but despite this necessary accumulation, it remains easy to follow. It was designed by a duo: neurologist and science historian Laura Bossi, and Sylvie Carlier, the director of collections at Musée Marmottan Monet, where this innovative and disquieting exploration is being held.
