The Metropolitan Museum of Art has opened an exhibit showcasing Walt Disney's animations for the first time ever!
Inspiring Walt Disney: The Animation of French Decorative Arts is the name of the exhibit and it “draw[s] new parallels between the magical creations of the Disney Studios and their artistic models, examining Walt Disney’s personal fascination with European art and the use of French motifs in Disney films and theme parks,” a press release states.
The exhibit has 40 pieces of 18th-century European decorative arts and design, 150 production artworks, and specialized film footage from your favorite classic Disney movies. Everything in the exhibit comes from the Walt Disney Animation Research Library, Walt Disney Archives, Walt Disney Imagineering Collection, and The Walt Disney Family Museum.
“Both Disney animated films and Rococo decorative works of art are infused with elements of playful storytelling, delight, and wonder,” said Max Hollein, Marina Kellen French Director of The Met.
Eighteenth-century craftspeople and 20th-century animators alike sought to ignite feelings of excitement, awe, and marvel in their respective audiences. Through exquisite objects and Disney artifacts, this exhibition will provide an unprecedented look at the impact of French art on Disney Studios productions from the 1930s to almost the present day.
The exhibit opened on December 10, 2021 in partnership with The Wallace Collection in London and will stay open until March 6, 2022.