Meet me at the museum...The unifying effect of art

Dear donor,

Thank you so much for your generosity! We are very touched that you have chosen to sponsor our cause.

In this report, you'll find three caregiver testimonials that illustrate the importance of our work for people with Alzheimer's disease and their loved ones. We also share an example of a commentary on a work of art that enables persons living with Alzheimer's to stimulate their memory and exchange with others.

 “A courageous, innovative and humane initiative that brings light to a gloomy daily life.”

“My husband told me he was happy during those moments, and indeed in the evening he didn’t wander around like he usually does.”

“The program helped me understand that the illness is not an obstacle to cultural activities. Of course, cognitive functions are impaired, but sensitivity and emotion are still present, and it’s important to keep stimulating them through painting, music, dance… It made me want to do similar activities with my husband.”

“Usually very distant and apathetic, struggling to find his words, I noticed that after the first few sessions, my husband started to express himself more and to follow the explanations more attentively.”

“I really enjoyed doing this activity as a couple, and seeing him enjoy it too gives us a chance to communicate when we go back over the booklet together.”

“For me, it was also very positive: the facilitator led the sessions in such a way that I left feeling calm and relaxed.”

Below you will find an example of our approach to the discovery of a work of art. This content is available on our online tour application:

This is a commentary on a famous work by Edouard Manet entitled Olympia painted in 1863 :

Can you describe this picture in a few words ?

Text to help you: Notice a naked woman with very fair skin lying on a bed. Notice how she stares at the viewer. Observe her accessories. Notice a black woman at her side carrying a bouquet of flowers. Note the presence of a surprised black cat. Linger over the backdrop.

In front of us, a naked, pale-skinned woman lies on a bed with immaculate sheets. Her body is supported by two pillows, highlighting her bust and direct gaze. Her upturned hair is adorned with a delicate flower.

Her accessories accentuate her refinement: a thin black ribbon around her neck, golden earrings, a bracelet and a beige shoe slipping off her foot. Her right hand rests on her lower abdomen in a gesture of controlled modesty. At her feet, a black cat seems surprised by our presence.

To the right, a black woman brings a carefully wrapped bouquet. The background creates an unsettling, theatrical scene.

The Salon exhibition of Olympia in 1865 has been called the scandal of the century. Why do you think Olympia was such a big scandal?

Why does the expression on the young woman's face deeply shock the public? Suggest that Manet is denouncing bourgeois hypocrisy, a reality that everyone knows but pretends to ignore.

Although "The Luncheon on the Grass" shocked, “Olympia” provoked an even more violent scandal. In "The Luncheon on the Grass", the nude woman has a neutral gaze, while “Olympia” stares confidently at the viewer, refusing to be a mere object of contemplation.

In this work, nudity has an explicit and disturbing function: Olympia is a courtesan waiting for a client. The bouquet brought by the maid is a typical gift for courtesans. The black cat reinforces this connotation. The harsh light and lack of modeling project the figure towards the viewer. When exhibited, the painting aroused such indignation that some people wanted to tear it up.

Beyond the scandal, Manet heralded the beginning of modern art with this work. How do we see it ?

Notice how Manet breaks away from traditional modeling and subtle gradations. Note the abrupt contrasts and sharp light. Suggest that his vision is bold and radical. In what way does this work reveal a new aesthetic ?

The artwork is built on a striking contrast between dazzling white and deep black, structuring the entire composition. Olympia’s matte white body violently stands out against the dark background, without gradual shading or academic modeling. It is rendered in bold, luminous flat tones, without concession to traditional illusions. The white sheets emphasize this sharp outline, while the dark masses of the black servant and the black cat anchor the scene and heighten Olympia’s presence.

Manet rejects sfumato and soft shadow effects. The sharp, incisive contours do not dissolve into the background but emerge distinctly. Through his bold juxtapositions of stark tones and a free brushstroke, he establishes a new aesthetic: painting no longer seeks to deceive the eye but asserts its materiality. With Olympia, Manet paves the way for the avant-garde and shifts painting into modernity.

This extract gives you an insight into our method of cognitive stimulation for people with Alzheimer's disease.

If you wish, we would be pleased to invite you to take part in oneline visits planned throughout the year. You can join us in these groups if you have a loved one with Alzheimer's disease.

Warmly

Cindy Barotte