Spotlight on Lionel Wodecki at the “Animals as Monuments” Exhibition
Step into the world of Wodecki at the Fragonard Museum beginning September 20
DIALOGUE BETWEEN HERITAGE & CONTEMPORARY CREATION
From September 20 to November 11, 2025, the École Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort (ENVA) will host the 6th edition of the exhibition “Animals as Monuments » organized in collaboration with the National Museum of Natural Historyand with the support of the city of Maisons-Alfort.
The exhibition transforms ENVA and its famous Fragonard Museum into a true artistic playground, where 25 artistsreveal their vision of animals in motion. On this occasion, five sculptures by Lionel Wodecki will engage in a dialogue with history and anatomy at the Fragonard Museum, while the ENVA courtyard and the Paris Zoological Park come alive with around forty monumental works.
We are delighted to announce the participation of Lionel Wodecki, a sculptor represented by Galry, in this exceptional event. His works, marked by purity and grace, are integrated into a scenography that brings the scientific and aesthetic heritage of the veterinary school to life.
The exhibition invites visitors to explore spaces rich in history: the courtyard for monumental works and the elegant Fragonard Museum for more intimate pieces. This veterinary cabinet of curiosities, open to the public since 1991, provides an ideal setting to highlight the details of the living world in all their forms.
THE SELECTED ARTISTS
The guest of honor for this edition is Frédéric Jager, whose majestic works celebrate the animal in a balance of power and movement. Alongside him, a distinguished selection of contemporary animal sculptors includes Tony Babic, Thierry Benenati, Christophe Charbonnel, François-Marie Pollet, Vitali Panok, Patrick Villas, and many others.
LIONEL WODECKI: CAPTURING THE ESSENCE OF MOVEMENT
Acclaimed sculptor and draftsman, Lionel Wodecki captures fleeting moments with remarkable precision. He favors simplicity to focus on the essentials: line, purity, and
grace. His works also highlight endangered species, which he seeks to immortalize through sculpture.
For this 6th edition, Wodecki presents five works at the Fragonard Museum: L’autour des palombes, La chouette sur son rocher, L’Envol noir, La chouette (1), and La
chouette bleue. These pieces are suspended moments that evoke both fragility and animal power. Notably, in 2024, his sculpture L’Envol noir was awarded the Prize of
the National Salon of Animal Artists (SNAA).
WHAT IS ENVA?
The École Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort (ENVA), located in Maisons-Alfort near Paris, is one of the oldest veterinary schools in the world, founded in 1765. It trains veterinarians and researchers in animal and public health, and houses significant museum collections, including the renowned Fragonard Museum, specialized in anatomy and preserved specimens.
In the context of this exhibition, ENVA provides a unique historical and scientific setting for presenting artworks inspired by animals.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
- Dates: September 20 – November 11, 2025
- Locations: ENVA Courtyard; Fragonard Museum; Paris Zoological Park
- Address: 7 Avenue du Général de Gaulle, Maisons-Alfort (94)
- Opening Hours:
Courtyard: 9 AM – 6 PM, free entry
Fragonard Museum: Monday to Sunday, 9 AM – 6 PM
Paris Zoological Park: check park for schedules and tickets
Want a guided visit focused on Lionel Wodecki’s work? Contact us!
