George Condo and the museum retrospective momentum
Published on 08/31/2026 at 10:48 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
George Condo has built a museum presence that now spans major institutions in Europe and the United States. His recent retrospective at the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris brought together around 80 paintings, 110 drawings and about 20 sculptures, according to the museum's exhibition page.Musée d'Art Moderne exhibition page
The Paris retrospective framework
The show George Condo at the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris ran from October 10, 2025 to February 8, 2026, and was described by the museum as the most significant exhibition of his work to date.Musée d'Art Moderne exhibition page The museum organized the exhibition in close dialogue with the artist, presenting emblematic works from over four decades.
The curatorial structure focused on three axes: Condo's relationship to art history, his singular treatment of the human figure and his engagement with abstraction.Musée d'Art Moderne exhibition page Loans came from major collections such as MoMA, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, alongside private lenders.
Exhibition presence and Monday focus
The Paris retrospective sits alongside a broader exhibition history that includes institutional shows and gallery presentations. In 2026, Condo appears in the group exhibition The LIFE in a Line! at the Heath Robinson Museum in Pinner, UK, running from February 28 to June 28, 2026, as noted by gallery Xavier Hufkens.Xavier Hufkens exhibition news
Parallel to these institutional contexts, Hauser & Wirth has announced the two-part exhibition Pastels in New York, described as offering insight into Condo's creative process through works on paper.Hauser & Wirth exhibition information This gallery program complements the museum shows by foregrounding medium-specific experimentation.
Exhibitions and background on George Condo
For further reporting on George Condo's museum retrospectives, gallery shows and institutional projects, the AD HOC NEWS archive offers additional context.
The work core and practice
Condo is known primarily for painting, but his practice extends to drawing and sculpture, often in hybrid installations. The Paris exhibition highlighted this breadth by dedicating a graphic arts section to about 110 drawings and interspersing around 20 sculptures among roughly 80 paintings.Musée d'Art Moderne exhibition page
His pictorial language frequently combines fragmented, psychologically charged heads and figures with references to Old Masters and modernist abstraction. This mix of historical citation and invented characters has made series such as Mental States and other figurative clusters central touchpoints for curators and critics.
Current state of the work
Against this backdrop, George Condo's practice is framed by the recent Paris retrospective and ongoing exhibitions such as Pastels and The LIFE in a Line!, with no new museum dates falling into the immediate 30-day window.
Key facts on George Condo
- Artist: George Condo
- Medium / Genre: Painting, drawing and sculpture (figurative and abstract)
- Born: 1957, Concord, New Hampshire, USA
- Place(s) of practice: Studio in New York
- Active since: Early 1980s
- Key work groups: Mental States, Drawing Paintings, Artificial Realism, Psychological Portraits
- Current/last exhibition: George Condo, Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris, October 10, 2025 - February 8, 2026
- Major collections: MoMA (New York), Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York), Whitney Museum of American Art (New York), Louisiana Museum of Modern Art (Humlebæk), Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris (Paris)
- Awards: Wolfgang Hahn Prize (Cologne, 2013)
- Next date: currently no announced date in the 30-day window
Frequently asked questions about George Condo
Where has George Condo recently been shown in a major museum exhibition?
The most recent large-scale museum retrospective of George Condo's work took place at the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris, running from October 10, 2025 to February 8, 2026 and featuring around 200 works.
What media does George Condo primarily work in?
Condo is best known for painting, but he also maintains a substantial practice in drawing and sculpture, often combining these media within exhibitions to stress the continuity between his works on canvas, paper and in three dimensions.
Is George Condo represented in major public collections?
Yes, his works are held by institutions including MoMA, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art and the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris, underscoring his established museum presence.
This article was produced with a.i. support and editorially reviewed. All statements without guarantee; auction results, exhibition dates and awards may change at short notice.
