Drat it all. I had this post nearly complete and an inadvertent finger deleted the whole damn thing. Trying again.
Some time ago we went to see this exhibition and I promised to devote a post to it. Life, laziness and a myriad of medical appointments got in the way. I apologise for my failings, but here it is.
The title of the exhibition came from this painting.
I hadn't realised the name of the movement he started could be so directly traced to one painting.
Contemporary opinion of the Impressionists was often very far from favourable. Thinking about that, I realised I am often guilty myself of failing to like/understand/appreciate contemporary art. The more things change...
This exhibition was brought to us from France, no doubt at considerable expense. I am very grateful to have had the chance to see it. Some paintings were familiar, some were not. The same was true of the featured artists.
Come wander with me and see some (and only some) of the works which caught my eye. I was struck by how many of them featured dawn, dusk and/or water - three of my most favourite things.
Can't you just feel, hear the wind whipping through those branches?
The water-lily series needs no introduction from me. On my trip to Antarctica I can remember seeing something very similar picked out in ice...
Joseph Wright was on his honeymoon when he saw Vesuvius erupt!
Of course the only exit was through the gift shop. And I succumbed. The next pictures show the bookmarks, magnet and cards I picked up. I am happy to send them to anyone who would like one (first come best dressed) so if you would like one please let me know in the comments or via email.
Oops. I scanned that first bookmark upside down.
This will probably be the next exhibition we go to see.
The final photo was taken from just outside the exhibition and already has me intrigued.
Some time ago we went to see this exhibition and I promised to devote a post to it. Life, laziness and a myriad of medical appointments got in the way. I apologise for my failings, but here it is.
The title of the exhibition came from this painting.
 |
| Impression, sunrise: Claude Monet |
Contemporary opinion of the Impressionists was often very far from favourable. Thinking about that, I realised I am often guilty myself of failing to like/understand/appreciate contemporary art. The more things change...
This exhibition was brought to us from France, no doubt at considerable expense. I am very grateful to have had the chance to see it. Some paintings were familiar, some were not. The same was true of the featured artists.
Come wander with me and see some (and only some) of the works which caught my eye. I was struck by how many of them featured dawn, dusk and/or water - three of my most favourite things.
 |
| Low tide, the beach at Trouville: Gustave Courbet |
 |
| Le Havre, Commerce Basin: Eugene Boudin |
 |
| Sunset at low tide: Eugene Boudin |
 |
| The train in the snow: Claude Monet |
 |
| Springtime through the branches: Claude Monet |
The water-lily series needs no introduction from me. On my trip to Antarctica I can remember seeing something very similar picked out in ice...
 |
| The sailing boat, evening effect: Claude Monet |
 |
| Sunset in Holland: Johan Barthold Jongkind |
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| A view of Vesuvius from Posillipo, Naples: Joseph Wright of Derby |
Joseph Wright was on his honeymoon when he saw Vesuvius erupt!
Of course the only exit was through the gift shop. And I succumbed. The next pictures show the bookmarks, magnet and cards I picked up. I am happy to send them to anyone who would like one (first come best dressed) so if you would like one please let me know in the comments or via email.
Oops. I scanned that first bookmark upside down.
This will probably be the next exhibition we go to see.
The train in the snow and the moon over Vesuvius...beautiful.
ReplyDeleteonly slightly confused: How nice to see you here. And I loved both of those images too.
DeleteThe art and music from that period were amazing. Don't beat yourself up if you don't like some contemporary art. Art seems to prove its worthiness only a generation or two later.
ReplyDeleteBill: I sometimes wonder/worry whether I am too set in my ways. And do love the impressionists. Or most of them.
DeleteHe was in his honeymoon when he saw Vesuvius erupt? I am not touching that with a ten foot pole.....or any other size for that matter! I think that impressionism is even more wonderful now than it was when it was created. I would have been thrilled to visit this exhibition and kudos to the people in France who agreed to let these treasures leave their country. And a special thanks to you, Sue, for bringing it to us, despite having to do it twice.
ReplyDeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: Over the years we have seen some absolutely spectacular 'blockbuster' exhibitions at the gallery. I was incredibly grateful to be given the chance to see this one - and it was relatively uncrowded too which is another bonus.
DeleteWhat wonderful paintings. I am also intrigued by the last and love the Monet with the trees. Thank you for your nice comment today and for doing this post twice.
ReplyDeletee: That particular Monet was one I don't think I have ever seen before - and I loved it.
DeleteI went to an Impression exhibit not too many years ago. After going through the entire exhibit my sister and I decided they artists were probably initially painting what the saw without wearing their glasses. I do jest, though some days when I am at the lake and look out over the water, with my unaltered vision my waterscape view is similar to what some of their paintings look like,
ReplyDeleteI have read about how Monets paintings of his garden change over a period of time and are typical of vision change due to cataracts.
DeleteSo, you are right in a way
Anne in the kitchen: My eyes are not my strong point and I often see things through a haze - which might partically explain why I love the impressionists work so much.
Deletekylie: I had read that too, and was super impressed at the beauty he created from his disability. One of my sisters in law has seen his garden and I am a tad jealous of that.
DeleteAnd I forgot to say, I would love a bookmark!
ReplyDeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: I will be happy to send you one. Do you have any preference?
DeleteYour choice is fine, Sue.
DeleteDavid M. Gascoingne: Thank you for your trust. I hope to post things tomorrow or the next day (I am waiting for one more address and would rather make one trip than two).
DeleteThank you for the cyber-tour. I have seen several of those paintings in Europe.Of the Impessionist school Degas, Renoir and Lautrec push more of my buttons.But that's a personal thing!
ReplyDeletedinahmow: I like Degan and Lautrec more (usually than Renoir) but am happy to ogle all of them.
Delete2x ogles
Deletedinahmow: I am not going to admit how often I went back to look at some of the paintings in this exibition. Many ogles.
DeleteI love Monet, and these pictures are stunning. The rest are wonderful, too, but those really got me. :-)
ReplyDeleteDJan: It really was a wonderful excursion. Soooo much beauty.
DeleteHow amazing. that is a once in a lifetime art show.
ReplyDeleteSusan Kane: No arguments from me. Our Gallery has put on some spectacular exhibitions over the years.
DeleteThanks for sharing this wonderful art.
ReplyDeleteJ C: Welcome and thank you.
DeleteI'm thinking how hard these men worked at their art, and the cost of supplies. And they could not earn a living on the whole. Your photography is excellent, so hang the scanning skills.
ReplyDeleteJoanne Noragon: I was thinking very similar thoughts. If there is a life after death I hope they realise how much their art has come to mean to so many of us.
DeleteAnd thank you on the scanning front. I swore when I realised, but was tooo lazy to do it again.
Beautiful paintings! Thanks so much for sharing with us. I haven't been to our art museum, or any of our museums in WAY too long. I promise when it gets cooler here, I will go in your honor! My favorite, and it probably won't surprise you, is the train in the snow!
ReplyDeleteBECKY: That was another one I loved, and didn't know of before I went to the exhibition.
DeleteThanks for sharing the impressionist paintings with us. They are beautiful work of art. We have an art gallery in our city called The Beaverbrook Art Gallery where I used to go to see the arts exhibits but as my life got busier and busier, I haven't been there in years. I should go for a visit soon.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Julia
Julia: We are lucky here and have a range of beautiful exhibitions to see. We go regularly - and should go more often.
DeleteThanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteJamie Ghione: I am glad you liked them.
DeleteI saw a Monet collection in Sydney (probably 15 years ago) and was surprised at the enormous size of the paintings. Yours don't seem so big or is that a trick of perspective?
ReplyDeletekylie: It was relatively uncrowded so I was able to get quite close to the paintings. It is indeed a question of perspective. Our walls would be swallowed by the water lilies for example.
DeleteHow i do love the Impressionists! Got to see a Monet once, i was enthralled and even bought a small notebook with the water lily cover to remind me. It's full of notes and retired in a drawer where i see it still.
ReplyDeletemessymimi: The water lily series is incredible isn't it? So very beautiful.
DeleteSo beautiful, I saw some of these Monets in France, they give me such a sense of peace. And yes I would love a bookmark. How kind of you to offer.
ReplyDeleteA breathtaking post. I sometimes forget about those frames, they add to the experience so much.
XO
WWW
Wisewebwoman: I am very, very happy to send you a bookmark. I will however need an address to send it too. Send me an email please.
DeleteWonderful post. I am very envious! The water-lilies are stunning, but my pick of these would be the sailing boat at evening. The colours are so beautiful. Thank you for taking the time and trouble to redo the post.
ReplyDeleteAlexia: It really was a wonderful exhibition - and we might go again before it closes. Another reason to stop into my city when you next come to Oz.
DeleteI'm not a fan of Monet, but I like the 2nd, 3rd and 14th paintings and I love the gold frames. I don't need any more book marks, I think I have one for every book I own.
ReplyDeleteRiver: I thoroughly enjoyed the exhibition and liked being introduced to some artists (and works) which were new to me. Would you like a card instead of the bookmarks?
DeleteI do love impressionism. I miss being able to go to the art museum. So many things I love cost too much money.
ReplyDeleteThe Real Cie: We have to pay to attend the 'special' exhibitions but the Gallery is free to attend, and has some stunning work permanently on display. Including some glorious work by impressionists.
DeleteThey are beautiful and you are lucky to have seen them in person..
ReplyDeleteMargaret-whiteangel: They are beautiful, but we are very grateful to have had the opportunity.
DeleteSometimes when I'm old and grumpy I think that they only could paint so marvelous "outside of the rules-paintings" because they first really learned how to follow the rules. Those frame close ups are good.
ReplyDeleteUglemor: I suspect you are right. Rules are indeed made to be broken - if you know what it is you are breaking.
DeleteDear EC
ReplyDeleteI have been lucky enough to see Impressionist works in Paris and London and they are always fresh. There is always something new to see in them. They captured the changes in light so well.
The Indonesia exhibition looks fascinating - I look forward to seeing some photos (assuming you are allowed to take some, of course).
Best wishes
Ellie
Ellie Foster: It is only relatively recently that our gallery allowed photography. I am hoping that we CAN take photos in the Indonesian display.
DeleteI can't say that I always understand every piece of art I see, but I continue to be fascinated by the beauty and talent created by the artists, and I can see how they are so in demand. I love that you allow to us to see these with your photography who may not have access. As a hardcore reader, I can never have enough bookmarks to tell me where I'm supposed to be in a book. Hugs, RO
ReplyDeleteRO: Art appreciation is an intensely subjective thing. I don't always understand, like or appreciate some pieces, but love that it is there.
DeleteAn address to send the bookmark to?
I love impressionism in art, so wonderful!
ReplyDeletenatalie20041989: We love it too.
DeleteImpressionists are among my favourites! Glorious!
ReplyDeleteMarie Smith: We really like it too, and were so very glad to expand our knowledge.
DeleteHi EC - I too love the Train in the Snow, and the Vesuvius one ... both amazingly informative. This looked a wonderful collection - the frames reminded me of Grinling Gibbons ... whose wood carvings are just quite extraordinary.
ReplyDeleteI just noted your comment about photography ... so often we're not - so great that you've been able to ... some of ours we can't (great masters, or exquisite work that would be damaged by the flash) or other where we can ... ie silks from the Middle East exhibition I went to a couple of years ago - and never wrote up! Also at the British Museum there was on the Pacific Islands ... again I need to find the photos and do the write up - sometime.
Loved seeing these and so look forward to your Indonesian report back ... isn't it great how art travels on our behalf! ... we're lucky we live in this age ...
Take care and enjoy your colder days - cheers Hilary
PS If there's a spare bookmark - I'd love one ... and I'll swap you with a Canadian one ...
Hilary Melton-Butcher: It really was a delightful collection - and beautifully curated. For a long time any photography in our gallery was banned. They have relaxed the rule, with some exceptions. Selfie sticks are still forbidden though - which pleases me.
DeleteI think the bookmarks have gone, but would be happy to send a card.
And yes, I am hugely grateful that art can travel these days. It enriches my world and explands my horizons.
Impressionist art always spoke to me, but I have never pursued the question, "Why?" I just enjoy without too much analysis.
ReplyDeleteJono: Me too. There are some pieces which have a permanent home in my heart.
DeleteMy favorites of those you showed, Train in the Snow, Low Tide, the beach at Trouville and Sunset at Low Tide. I won a fund raising art auction painting of a harbor with boats and I love it so much! I wish I could buy more beautiful paintings for my walls.
ReplyDeleteStrayer: I am so glad you won a painting you love. And yes, if money was unlimited there would be a LOT more pieces of art in this house. And garden.
DeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com
R's Rue: Thank you. We thought so too.
DeleteVery beautiful post!
ReplyDeleteI like so much Claude Monet!
Sending lots of hugs and Love!
sonia a. mascaro: He did beautiful work didn't he? How sad that he was dead long before he received the recognition he deserved.
DeleteWonderful post! I enjoyed the stories behind some. Amazing paintings!
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: Thank you. I was a midweek treat - which has stayed with me.
DeleteI love Monet. We saw an exhibit of his when we in Washington.
ReplyDeleteIt was moving.
Rick Watson: The impressionists speak to a lot of us dont they?
DeleteMy art interest is somewhat limited (I really enjoy realism, such as this Canadian artist: http://alexcolville.ca/) but it's good to at least be exposed to other styles. Springtime through the branches and the moon over Vesuvius speak to me. Thank you for persisting after that naughty Delete button undercut your work!
ReplyDeleteI hope this week was calmer for you.
jenny_o: Thank you for the link. Some of his work is almost photographic isn't it? Beautiful moments frozen in time.
DeleteIn art, as in so many things, my taste is eclectic, but I am always ready to see more.
MOST of this week was calmer. It ramps up again next week.
How fascinating and beautiful. I love Impressionism. And thanks for sharing where the term originated.
ReplyDeleteYou are very generous to giveaway your goodies.
Sandra: We have never been to the gallery without seeing beauty (and learning things).
DeleteThese small tokens are the least I can do to show my appreciation of my friends in the blogosphere. Would you like a card? Or the magnet?
I love the softness of Monet's work. It immediately slows my breath. Thank you for starting my day this way, EC.
ReplyDeleteTake gentle care.
Rawknrobyn: We all need serenity and beauty don't we? I am glad to have shared some of the wonder. And the joy.
DeleteThis must have been such a beautiful exhibition. Impressionism is one of my favorite painting periods. I especially love Monet and I still hope that one I will see his garden in Giverny.
ReplyDeleteThe Indonesia exhibition looks intriguing and seriously interesting.
Carola Bartz: One of my sisters in law has been to his gardens. And my eyes glow green thinking about it.
DeleteWe are looking forward to the Indonesian exhibition. And one on Maori body art.
Those are beautiful paintings. Thanks for sharing that with us.
ReplyDeleteMary Kirkland: My pleasure, I am glad you enjoyed them.
Deletestunning. peaceful. relaxing. beautiful. envious.
ReplyDeleteCindi Summerlin: It really was a magical interlude.
DeleteI look at a lot of sunrise/sunset photographs, many of which are highly saturated (by nature or photoshop) but there is something intrinsicly magical about these soft misty colours, they are somehow intimate and restful, just beautiful
ReplyDeleteKim: I so agree with you. Serene and lovely.
DeleteThe impressionism movement showed light and space as it was never show before their paintings often make me feel I'm alone in wide open spaces.
ReplyDeleteMerle.............
Merlesworld: The impressionist movement has always been dear to my heart, and seeing new paintings and discovering new artists was a treat.
DeleteThanks for sharing your trip to the arts with us! That train in the snow looks so chilly.
ReplyDeleteJohn Wiswell: I am happy to share. He captured the cold really, really well in that painting didn't he? I suspect a lot of us pulled our jackets tighter as we viewed it.
DeleteWhat an awesome exhibit! I have a couple of books filled with photos of Impressionist paintings, but some of the ones you show here are new to me. They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and our reactions to any kind of artwork is highly subjective, so don't feel badly about not loving contemporary art. What's awesome is that you're still open to seeing it and trying to understand. Having an open mind keeps you young. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with us, even if you DID have to type the post twice. (Bummer!)
Susan: Some of the paintings and some of the artists were new to me too, and I was so grateful to find them. I wonder whether I would have liked Impressionism as much as I do now if it had been the contemporary movement of the time? I hope so, but I wonder...
DeleteOh WOW...thank you so much for sharing this fabulous exhibition with us, Sue...these are fantastic works of art!!
ReplyDeleteI especially like the "Train in the Snow" painting. 😊😊
I love sunrise and sunset pictures too...there is a powerful sense of the mysterious at those times of the day, is there?!
What a fantastic post! Thank you again for sharing!!
Hugs and love xxx
Ygraine: Train in the Snow spoke to a lot of us didn't it? Hundreds of years later, and we felt it. Truly amazing.
DeleteHugs and love is flowing your way too. As always.
That Train in the snow is too good.
ReplyDeleteHaddock: As I said to Ygraine, that one spoke to a lot of us didn't it? A train and a season which crossed centuries. Effortlessly.
DeleteI do love that era. My favorite museum, Musee d'Orsay is full of them And I just was at the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam, heaven
ReplyDeleteSue in Italia/In the Land of Cancer: Himself has been to the Van Gogh museum too, and I will admit to a twinge of jealousy.
DeleteOh, to be able to paint. And those frames, my gosh. Thank you for the virtual exhibit, EC!
ReplyDeleteDawn@Lighten Up!: Oh to be able to paint indeed. Or draw...
DeleteMonet: Awesome.
ReplyDeleteAndrew: He is. I really liked some of the other painters featured in the exhibition too.
DeleteOops, I almost missed this post. So glad I didn't though seeing the masters" paintings only makes me wonder why/how is it that only some are endowed with such talents. And me, guess I'm just jealous.
ReplyDeleteMyrna R.: You are not alone. I am supremely envious of those with artistic talent as well, and so very grateful to them.
DeleteThe Impressionists fascinate me - I'm not crazy about a lot of their paintings, but I'd love to be able to see the world that way and adopt a bit of that technique in my own paintings. Maybe someday... but probably not. I think it's beyond me no matter how much I practice! :-)
ReplyDeleteDiane Henders: All artists fascinate and awe me. I love the way the Impressionists saw their world too - a new and lovely perspective. How would you describe your own work? Any particular genre?
DeleteMine would be the 'stiff and stilted' genre. ;-) I paint mainly florals and landscapes in watercolour, oils, and acrylics; but I just can't seem to grasp the lovely flow of Impressionism. It's okay - I have fun painting, and fortunately I don't have to make a living at it!
DeleteDiane Henders: Colour me awed. I was told early that I have no artistic talent and have accepted the label. I am an appreciator - and I do. I am v glad you have fun with your art.
DeleteThanks so much for showing this amazing art EC! You don't have to apologize to us in blog land! Life happens! We love you EC! Like me, I always seem to be late coming around! LOL!
ReplyDeleteWas trying to pick a favourite out of these gorgeous paintings, but they all have something. Truly love them all!
If there is any of your goodies left, would love to have one!
Big Hugs!
Magic Love Crow: It really was a delightful exhibition and I could have shown many, many more photos which moved me.
DeleteWe hope to get back to the Gallery today so I will see what I can find for you. Hugs.
All so beautiful, thanks for sharing them with us.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Lowcarb team member ~Jan: It really is a fabulous exhibition. We may go back and view it again.
Delete