“Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment” will showcase approximately 125 pieces, including paintings, prints, sculptures, and photographs, exploring how artists responded to a Paris recovering from the chaos of the Franco-Prussian War and subsequent civil unrest.
Auguste Renoir
The Theater Box, 1874
oil on canvas
framed: 106.6 x 91 x 12.3 cm (41 15/16 x 35 13/16 x 4 13/16 in.)
original canvas: 80 x 63.5 cm (31 1/2 x 25 in.)
The Courtauld, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust)
Photo © The Courtauld
In a thrilling revival of a landmark event in art history, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, is set to present “Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment,” an exhibition commemorating the 150th anniversary of the first Impressionist exhibition. Opening September 8, 2024, and running through January 19, 2025, this exhibition promises to transport visitors back to a pivotal moment in Western art.
The original exhibition, held on April 15, 1874, at the Parisian studio of photographer Nadar on Boulevard des Capucines, marked a bold departure from the established art norms of the time. Organized by the “Anonymous Society of Painters, Sculptors, and Engravers,” this groundbreaking event featured works by now-legendary artists such as Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Auguste Renoir, Berthe Morisot, Camille Pissarro, Alfred Sisley, and Paul Cézanne. These artists, later recognized as Impressionists, challenged the traditional art establishment and paved the way for modernist painting.
“Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment” will showcase approximately 125 pieces, including paintings, prints, sculptures, and photographs, exploring how artists responded to a Paris recovering from the chaos of the Franco-Prussian War and subsequent civil unrest. The exhibition will juxtapose the Impressionists’ revolutionary works with those presented at the official 1874 Salon, offering insights into the dramatic shift in artistic sensibilities of the era.
Visitors will discover why the first Impressionist exhibition was so revolutionary, with a spotlight on works that were met with shock and awe. The exhibition also delves into the motivations behind the artists' decision to exhibit independently, away from the traditional Salon system, which was known for its rigid standards and government oversight.
In addition to featuring masterpieces from the original Nadar studio show, the exhibition includes significant works by prominent Salon artists like Jean-Léon Gérôme and Antonin Mercié, providing a comprehensive view of the artistic climate of the time. Notably, it will present Monet’s seminal work, *Impression, Sunrise*, which gave the Impressionist movement its name.
“Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment offers a unique opportunity to explore the origins of one of the most popular and well-known movements in Western art,” said Kaywin Feldman, director of the National Gallery of Art. “We are pleased to partner with the Musée d’Orsay to share this fascinating story with our American audience.”
The exhibition is organized by the National Gallery of Art in Washington and the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, with major support from The Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation, Bank of America, and the Judy and Peter Blum Kovler Foundation. The show will also feature special contributions from the Musée Marmottan Monet and the Académie des Beaux-Arts.
Accompanying the exhibition, the National Gallery of Art Library will present a collection of approximately 40 photographic prints and postcards capturing Paris during the late 19th century. This display will highlight the city's transformation and the role of photography in shaping contemporary art.
“Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment” will be complemented by a new publication, co-published by the National Gallery of Art and Musée d’Orsay, and available in the Gallery Shops. The book offers fresh insights into the origins of Impressionism and its impact on the art world.
Visitors can also enjoy exhibition-inspired dining at the Garden Café and Cascade Café, featuring French classics like steak frites and lobster bisque.
Exhibition Tour
Musée d’Orsay, Paris, March 25–July 14, 2024
National Gallery of Art, Washington, September 8, 2024–January 19, 2025
Exhibition Ticketing
While this exhibition is not ticketed, you may need to join a line or virtual queue on weekends and busier days. Independently led groups are not permitted.
Exhibition Curators
The exhibition is curated in Paris by Sylvie Patry, senior curator/artistic director, Mennour, Paris; Anne Robbins, curator of paintings, Musée d’Orsay, Paris; and at the National Gallery of Art by Mary Morton, curator and head of the department of French paintings, and by Kimberly A. Jones, curator of 19th-century French paintings.
Mark your calendars for this extraordinary exhibition and immerse yourself in the moment that reshaped the art world. For more details, visit the National Gallery of Art's website or check out their online shop.
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