The Little Prince in Paris: The Mona Lisa of the 20th century on display for the first time in the world
For the first time in the world, the original drawings of The Little Prince are to be exhibited in Paris! Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s sublime watercolors will be the subject of an exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs from February 17th to June 26th, 2022.
Among the hundreds of unpublished drawings on display for the first time to the general public, the most eagerly awaited of all is The Little Prince in a Prince’s outfit, a watercolor by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry dating from 1942. It is the best-known and most moving drawing in the entire collection.
This iconic drawing from a private collection is being presented for the first time to audiences around the world, an event worthy of this phenomenon book, which has sold over 200 million copies worldwide.
« It is certainly the most famous drawing in the world, » said Olivier d’Agay, grand-nephew of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and director of the Succession Saint-Exupéry. « It is an incredible opportunity to be able to present for the first time this drawing that has moved entire generations of readers. It is certainly the most important drawing of the 20th century, and this is a unique opportunity to see it in person. Lovers of the Little Prince will come from afar to discover this drawing, we live a historical moment. »
«This original watercolor is the Mona Lisa of the amateurs and specialists of the work of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry,» tells us Alban Cerisier, archivist-paleographer, historian of literature, and great specialist of the work of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
Saint-Exupéry drew this legendary character for years before devoting an entire book to him. The lightness of the line, the marvelous imagination filled with grace, the harmonious colors, make The Little Prince a unique work known to all, and one that has been making France and the French-speaking world shine since 1943.
Meet the Little Prince
The Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris will host this major exhibition celebrating the success of The Little Prince and his incredible journey through the generations.
Full of richness and surprises, the exhibition will present Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s original manuscript, on loan from the Morgan Library in New York, as well as over 600 original and unpublished drawings.
This unrivaled exhibition was born of the desire to return the Little Prince to its readers. It is the fruit of a passionate collaboration between the Succession Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, the Gallimard publishing house, the Succession Consuelo de Saint-Exupéry and the Morgan Library in New York, as well as the incredible work accomplished by Anne Monnier, the exhibition’s curator, and Alban Cerisier of the Gallimard publishing house.
Phenomenal Little Prince
The Little Prince is so far the most translated work in the world after the Bible, with over 490 translations. A worldwide publishing phenomenon, with more than 5 million copies of The Little Prince sold every year. The Little Prince is today an icon, an actor of the world of tomorrow, an ambassador for the ecology, who seduces for his values that live through the actions of the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation.
For more information on The Little Prince: www.lepetitprince.com
For more information on the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Foundation: www.fasej.org