Sargent's Paris and an Evening of Elegance: AFMO Gala at the Musée d'Orsay

This autumn, the Musée d'Orsay pays tribute to one of the great masters of portraiture with "Sargent. Dazzling Paris." The exhibition opened on September 23, 2025, and continues through January 11, 2026. It is the first monographic showcase of the American painter in France. Curated in partnership with New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, it assembles more than ninety works, some never before seen in Paris, tracing the artist's formative years in the city that shaped his career.

Photo Credit: John Singer Sargent. In the Luxembourg gardens, 1879. ©Courtesy of Philadelphia Museum of Art

Sargent arrived in Paris as a young man, training under Carolus-Duran and quickly distinguishing himself for his bold compositions and iridescent palette. The exhibition presents the works that established his reputation, from Dr. Pozzi at Home (1881) to The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit (1882), and culminates with the striking Portrait of Madame *** (1884)—the scandalous Salon entry that, despite initial controversy, secured his place in art history. Together, the canvases capture both the brilliance of Sargent's technique and the cosmopolitan spirit of late 19th-century Paris.

Photo credit:  John Singer Sargent (1856-1925). Portrait de Mme ***, dit aussi Madame X, 1883-1884. © photo © The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Dist. GrandPalaisRmn / image Art Resource

On Saturday, October 25, 2025, this exhibition will serve as the backdrop for the American Friends of the Musées d'Orsay et de l'Orangerie (AFMO ) benefit gala at the Musée d'Orsay, one of the season's most distinguished cultural events. Guests will enjoy a private viewing of "Sargent. Dazzling Paris", followed by a cocktail reception in the Museum's nave beneath the  soaring vaults of the former train station. The evening continues with an elegant dinner prepared by Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse, promising a culinary experience as refined as the surroundings.

The annual gala supports the critical work of the American Friends of the Musées d'Orsay et de l'Orangerie (AFMO), whose mission is to raise public awareness and financial support for the Musée d'Orsay and its sister institution, the Musée de l'Orangerie. Proceeds from the evening supports exhibitions, research projects and educational initiatives, as well as gallery improvements in agreement with the Museums' priorities.Recent fundraising projects have included the landmark exhibition "Paris 1874. Inventing Impressionism" and the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Impressionism, a contribution to the capital campaign in support of the Orsay extensive renovation work over the next three years, or the children and family aimed Holidays at the Orsay program.

AFMO Gala Dinner 2023, Musee d'Orsay

For those who appreciate art, culture, and philanthropy and wish to celebrate French-American friendship, the AFMO gala evening offers an evening where the best of Parisian elegance meets meaningful support for the arts.  Ticket information and registration for the October 25 benefit evening can be found on the AFMO website here.

For further information about the Sargent: Dazzling Paris exhibition visit the Musee d'Orsay website here.