But the show's designer, Robert Carsen, known primarily for his work in theater and opera, also wants the visitor to glean a sense of experiencing differing Bohemias for themselves.
Without losing sight of curator Sylvain Amic's conception of "Bohemias" as a serious new examination of an enduring and alluring idea, the show is also designed as with Mr. Carsen's previous "Marie Antoinette" at the Grand Palais to entertain.
In contrast to this intimate exhibition, a major new show at the Grand Palais in Paris, "Bohemias" (Sept. 26-Jan. 14) ranges widely across five centuries, from Leonardo to Picasso, to explore the myth and reality of the Bohemian idea through more than 200 works.