Born in 1930 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, died in 2002 in San Diego

270 x 320 x 230 cm

Mirror, urethane paint and gold leaf on FRP and cement

As a result of a traumatic childhood experience, the Franco-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle grew up afraid of snakes. As an adult, she confronted her fears through a series of artworks celebrating them. Begun in the early 1980s, her snake-trees reframed serpents as totemic symbols of transformation and good luck. The earliest version, made in 1982, is installed at her famous Tarot Garden in Italy. This Arbre-serpents features a dozen colourful, snake-shaped branches twisting out from a central trunk. Covered in mirror fragments, glass, mosaic, and gold leaf, the work reflects its surroundings in a dazzling display of colour and light. In contrast to the ominous, menacing snakes of de Saint Phalle’s early nightmares, these defanged serpents seem playful and inviting.

Students from the École du Louvre are available every day from October 16 to October 20 to provide visitors with information.

Open from October 12 to 20, free public access

Miu Miu is the Public Program Official Partner.

Photo credit: Niki de Saint Phalle, L’Arbre-Serpents (detail), 1988. Courtesy of Galerie Mitterrand © Gregory Copitet