MUMBAI: An interesting exhibition on French banknotes will be inaugurated on Thursday April 3 at the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Kala Ghoda. France no longer mints its fabled franc anymore since the advent of Europe’s common currency, the Euro.
This display organised in association with Alliance Francaise de Bombay and Avid Learning will be on until April 24.

Curated by researcher and collector Rukmini Dahanukar, the show “offers an insight into the fascinating world of French banknote design and its global influence”. All the notes showcased in the exhibition are from her private collection. The oldest dates back to 1928, with the collection encompassing the last series of French francs, which were demonetised in 2002. In total, 25 prints will be on display.
The exhibition is titled ‘Beyond Face Value: French Banknote Design from Around the World’.

Art enthusiasts, history buffs and numismatists will be interested in its contents. “The exhibition features large size banknote replicas on canvas alongside real size prints. It provides detailed insights into the artistic and symbolic elements that define these pieces. While economic significance has always been the primary focus of currency, this exhibition highlights the lesser known artistic and cultural narratives embedded within these banknotes,” said a press release.
“Since the advent of the Euro, France no longer issues its own banknotes, making this exhibition an interesting assemblage. It also showcases French culture through its various currencies. For the banknote to be acknowledged as a part of the modern art landscape is a fitting tribute to my work of the last two decades,” said Dahanukar.

“Having worked in the Reserve Bank of India, I appreciate the role of currency notes in day-to-day public life. Viewers will see a beautiful amalgam of art and money on French Franc notes in this show,” said Nidhi Choudhari, director, NGMA Mumbai.
“I have been the director of various Alliance Francaises in different countries, and for me, banknotes are not just tools of commerce, they are reflections of the times, values and artistic expressions of a nation. This exhibition is an opportunity for history and art enthusiasts to explore a slice of Francophone culture and expression before the emergence of the Euro,” said Laurent Vergain, director of Alliance Francaise de Bombay.