Roaring: Art, Fashion, and the Automobile in France, 1918–1939
Exhibition
designed by Giuseppe Figoni, French (born Italy), 1894–1978; made by Delahaye, Paris, active 1894–1954; leather interior by Hermès, French, founded 1837; Type 135MS Special Roadster, 1937 © 2024 Revs Institute, Photo: Peter Harholdt
Saint Louis Art Museum
One Fine Arts Drive
Forest Park
St. Louis, MO, USA 63110
Apr 12 – Jul 27, 2025
The interwar period in France was marked by extraordinary creativity, innovation, and upheaval. The exhibition Roaring: Art, Fashion, and the Automobile in France, 1918–1939 delves into the pivotal role of the automobile as both a subject and an object during this era. It unravels the intricate influence of fashion, interiors, architecture, aviation, and the avant-garde on French automobile design and production
Roaring brings together more than 100 works of art and design, spanning paintings, photographs, prints, posters, furniture, lighting, architectural plans, fashion, textiles, and automobiles. This broad and interdisciplinary exhibition offers insight into the vibrant creative landscapes that fueled the golden age of French automotive design and influenced modern concepts of mobility.
The exhibition celebrates the bold, unrestricted visions of key figures such as Sonia and Robert Delaunay, Jacques-Henri Lartigue, Le Corbusier, André Citroën, and Josephine Baker. These pioneers saw the automobile as a daring symbol of the modern era, pushing the boundaries of design and innovation.
Roaring invites viewers to discover the profound influence of the automobile on French culture and society. From the sleek elegance of Art Deco to the avant-garde aesthetics of the time, the exhibition explores how the automobile became an emblem of progress and modernity. It also examines the dynamic relationship between fashion and automotive design, illustrating how trends in one field shaped the other.
This exhibition is supported by Enterprise Mobility Foundation, Barbara and Andy Taylor, the Betsy & Thomas Patterson Foundation, the Edward L. Bakewell Jr. Endowment for Special Exhibitions, and the E. Desmond Lee Family Endowment for Exhibitions.