Cactus

Exhibition at Villa Sauber, Monaco, 6 July 2025 – 11 January 2026

With their simple shapes, fractal figures, muted or vibrant colours, spiny or downy textures, and even extravagant architecture, cacti have been a source of fascination for centuries. With their unique, sometimes disturbing aesthetic, these plants challenge our perception of vegetation. They are studied, collected and feature in some of the most remarkable gardens on the Riviera. Above all, they have captivated many artists and inspired works as diverse as a film by Eisenstein, a drawing on iPad by David Hockney and a Gufram coat rack.

This catalogue of the exhibition organised by the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco, in collaboration with the Yves Saint Laurent Museum in Marrakech, examines cacti from both a botanical and artistic perspective, offering an insight into their history and diversity. More than 200 works are brought together here: botanical treasures, archives, paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, installations, film clips and design objects.