The National Museum of Serbia is set to host an exciting exhibition that delves into the impact of the 1924 Olympics on changing attitudes towards body image, identity, class, race, and gender. Organizers of the exhibition believe that the Paris Olympic Games in 1924 marked a significant turning point in history, and they aim to showcase how international artists engaged with the themes of the sporting body a century ago.
According to curators, the 1924 Games were the first truly international games, bringing together athletes from around the world. One of the highlights of the exhibition is a rare letter from American long jumper William DeHart Hubbard, the first black athlete to win an Olympic gold medal in an individual event. The letter, sent by Hubbard as he was about to sail to Paris, provides a unique insight into his journey and achievements.
The exhibition, which will be held at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, has been timed to open just a week before the Paris 2024 Games kick off. It will feature works from renowned modernist artists such as Pablo Picasso, Diego Rivera, Natalia Goncharova, and Umberto Boccioni, alongside classical sculpture, posters, fashion, and photography from the “Roaring Twenties.”
In addition to exploring the artistic response to the 1924 Games, the exhibition will also shed light on the lesser-known art competitions that were a part of the Olympics between 1912 and 1948. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the cultural impact of the Games and how Olympians became celebrities in their own right, with athletes like Johnny Weissmuller and Helen Wills achieving global fame.
“Paris 1924: Sport, Art and the Body” promises to be a captivating journey through history, showcasing the intersection of sports, art, and culture. The exhibition will run until November 3, offering visitors a unique perspective on the legacy of the 1924 Olympics and its lasting influence on society.
