Impressed with the Impressionists

While visiting family in Washington over the Thanksgiving holiday, I had a chance to visit The National Gallery and tour the much-promoted "Impressionist Moment" exhibit. It was a must-do for me. I have always been drawn to the fascinating period when a group of revolutionary French artists broke from tradition and did their own thing. The exhibit juxtaposes the avant-garde works of the Impressionists with the more traditional pieces popular in 1874 and displayed at the prestigious Paris Salon. A joint project between the Musee d’Orsay in Paris and the National Gallery in Washington, the show has been a hit since its opening.

It has been 150 years since the group of rebel artists dared to show their controversial paintings. Rejected by the traditional Paris Salon, they formed Société Anonyme. Thirty rogue unknown artists had their own show. The artists included Monet, Paul Cezanne, Edouard Manet, and Pierre-August Renoir. The alternative show was the talk of the town, although no works sold. The Société Anonyme disbanded, but the circle of artists endured. Throughout seven subsequent independent exhibitions, they became known as “Impressionists.” Today, their paintings remain among Western art's most recognized and beloved works.

Our mostly enthusiastic family group made our way to the National Gallery the day after Thanksgiving. We knew there would be lines and there would be a wait. It was an hour; the museum had various online tutorials that could be viewed as you shuffled along, which helped. Those in our group could break away and visit some of the National Gallery's impressive collections.

Once in the exhibit, 130 paintings were cleverly staged to demonstrate the sharp contrast between the Salon paintings that portrayed biblical, mythological, and historical stories on monumental canvases with the bright, colorful paintings of the Impressionists depicting everyday life.

A special treat was sharing the experience with grandchild Jaimie, a budding artist now in high school. We viewed the paintings and for me, like old friends, it was a treat to meet again. Inspired by the familiar paintings, my painting fingers began to itching for a paintbrush.

So, what is it that makes Impressionist paintings so pleasing? The painters took their canvases and easels outdoors. The "en plein air" style was made possible by the innovation of oil paints in tubes. The sitters were not posed in glamorous poses but rather in real-life moments. They are not wealthy patrons but relatives and friends. One can only imagine that viewers who were used to huge, dark paintings of the great and famous were shocked by the more casual, broad-stroked paintings of the Impressionists. More than a century later, the paintings still are refreshing and appealing.

The lessons learned from great artists impressed each of us in different ways. For the younger members of our family group, the exhibit was an exposure to one of the most critical periods in the evolution of art. For those older, it evoked memories of art history classes and works of art that we remember studying. Sometimes, it is just worth it to stand in line. Seeing the “Paris 1874: Impressionist Moment” show was one of those times.