Exhibit room with film equipment, honoring Jean-Luc Godard, highlighting fondazione prada's tribute in Milan.

Fondazione Prada’s Tribute: Jean-Luc Godard’s Studio Reborn in Milan

User avatar placeholder
Written by Flynn Matthews

2026-09-04

Fondazione Prada‘s Tribute: Iconic Filmmaker’s Intimate Studio Recreated

Inside Fondazione Prada in Milan, the cinematic legacy of Jean-Luc Godard is beautifully preserved as part of their homage. Two captivating spaces honor this New Wave auteur. One, the mirrored Cinema Godard, was renamed in his memory during the summer of 2023. The other, Le Studio d’Orphée, opened in 2019, offers an evocative rendition of his studio from Rolle, Switzerland. Persian rugs, eclectic artwork, and a Dyson vacuum infuse warmth and creativity into this artistic haven.

Interior space with vintage cameras and screens set up for a film display.

The influence of the New Wave

The Nouvelle Vague movement, with Godard at its helm, revolutionized cinema. Last year, Richard Linklater’s film humorously revisited Godard’s Breathless, which launched his career. This homage extended to inviting actress Juliette Binoche to speak, who recounted her complex yet rewarding collaboration with Godard. His more than sixty years of provocative filmmaking left an indelible mark on cinema, inspiring both peers and audiences.

The New Wave movement’s revolutionary spirit is also embodied in exhibitions like Apple TV’s bold ‘Neuromancer’ adaptation, offering fresh takes on classic themes.

Cozy room with red chairs facing a vintage film editing console.

Explore Le Studio d’Orphée

Tucked within Fondazione Prada’s Sud Gallery, Le Studio d’Orphée invites you to a secluded space of Godard’s late works. As part of their tribute, the room’s casual disarray—with a fold-out chair and casually displayed photos—feels authentically personal. It’s a testament to Godard’s vision, offering a glimpse into the artist’s world beyond the screen.

Godard’s personal studio recreations echo the intimate installations found in the Sydney 42-metre steel lookout, showcasing innovative architectural design.

Relive Godard’s creative process

The studio installation includes an editing bay with dual wooden tables and multiple monitors. Visitors can view Le livre d’image (2018) alongside nine other short films from 1981 to 2008. This homage carefully preserves these works that were birthed amidst the very equipment from Godard’s Switzerland studio, melding reality with imagination akin to the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice.

Milan exhibition space with dimmed lighting and film posters on walls.

Authentic touches in a creative sanctuary

Despite its professional functionality, Le Studio d’Orphée exudes a homey charm that mirrors Godard’s lived-in work environment. Media equipment finds its place on a beautifully painted wooden table, while other personal effects scatter the room, breathing life into this tribute space. This intimate recreation allows visitors to embrace more than Godard’s films; they step into his world.

Darkened room with screens displaying film scenes, emphasizing intimate atmosphere.

This thoughtful homage at Fondazione Prada, with its delicate balance of the real and the fictitious, invites you to delve into the creative genius of Jean-Luc Godard. His spirit lingers in this Milanese corner, preserving his influence for generations to appreciate as part of the foundation’s tribute.

Film reels stacked beside a small table in an exhibition corner.
A portrait of Jean-Luc Godard displayed in Le Studio d’Orphée.
a portrait of the late Jean-Luc Godard in Le Studio d’Orphée
Screening area showing Le livre d’image and nine short films by Godard.
there’s the opportunity to see Le livre d’image (2018) and nine other short films created by Godard between 1981 and 2008
Intimate Milan space allowing visitors to experience Godard's work posthumously.
though the auteur is gone, you can still inhabit his work in this intimate corner of Milan
Room setup resembles a typical day from Godard's life, enhancing authenticity.
Fondazione Prada took care to arrange the room such that it looks as though you’re stepping into one of Godard’s days
Two wooden tables form an editing bay for exhibition display.
there are two simple wooden tables, pushed up next to each other to create a kind of editing bay

Sources & Links

Source: designboom.com

Frequently asked questions

What is Le Studio d’Orphée?

Le Studio d’Orphée is an evocative rendition of Jean-Luc Godard’s studio from Rolle, Switzerland, located within Fondazione Prada’s Sud Gallery. It features casual disarray with personal items, offering a glimpse into Godard’s world beyond the screen. The studio includes an editing bay and displays personal artifacts, preserving Godard’s creative process.

How does Fondazione Prada honor Jean-Luc Godard?

Fondazione Prada honors Jean-Luc Godard by recreating his studio as part of their homage in Milan. They have opened two spaces in his memory: the mirrored Cinema Godard and Le Studio d’Orphée. These spaces capture the essence of Godard’s creative environment and provide insights into his cinematic legacy.

What items are displayed in Le Studio d’Orphée?

Le Studio d’Orphée includes eclectic artwork, a Dyson vacuum, Persian rugs, and media equipment on a beautifully painted wooden table. The room also features an editing bay with wooden tables and multiple monitors, creating an authentic and intimate recreation of Godard’s studio.