Paris in its heyday — between one set of Germans marching in (1871) and another (1940) — is one of those fabled cities that exists forever in the human consciousness; one that is often prefixed with the word "gay," in its earlier and truer sense. Any exhibition that manages to evoke this nostalgic world of cafes, cancan, and carousels is sure to enjoy a warm reception, and "Georges Rouault: Cirque Forain" at the Shiodome Museum in Tokyo's Minato Ward definitely does that.
The Shiodome has a reputation for going that extra mile with their exhibitions to make them more interesting and enjoyable than they really need to. For the museum's curators it's not simply a case of providing space for the art, and making sure all the caption plates are correct, they also try to create an immersive experience.
This show focuses on Rouault's clown-and-circus paintings, so along with the artist's work it includes circus posters, tent-like stage scenery, and peepshows of performances from the four permanent circuses that entertained Parisians of Rouault's era.