It’s a great day when a huge collection of art by an extremely famous artist comes for a visit to an American museum. This year, art fans and novices alike have the chance to see an exhibit of art from Pierre Renoir, the famous French impressionist who was known for his innovative style.
Renoir, known for his beautiful figures, including a portrait of a girl that made its way onto an episode of “Gilmore Girls” back in 2003, also created a collection of well known and adored landscapes. On October 4, 2007, several of those landscapes will debut at the Philadelphia Museum of Art for its only American exhibition this year. The collection will be available for viewing until January 6, 2008.
Renoir’s landscapes are perfect examples of what the Impressionist period was all about. Like Monet’s work, many of the paintings look amazing from far away, and close up it looks as though the paint just blends together.
Since this exhibit is so unique, it is important to highlight just what is coming to the Philadelphia Museum of Art this fall. The paintings are from Renoir’s first 30 years of painting, and explore nature, light and the beauty of the French countryside.
Even though the word “landscape” traditionally refers to land without people, these landscapes come to life with a few bystanders here and there in Renoir’s work. One such example is The Grands Boulevards, painted in 1875. The image, which is oil on canvas, would not be complete without the people in the background. Renoir’s work proves “landscape” is a much more broad concept than originally thought.
The exhibit highlights four specific themes throughout its tenure at the museum. These themes include Gardens, Cityscapes, Figures in the Landscape, and Travel and Landscape. The themes are somewhat self-explanatory but the paintings are all encompassing. A classic example of Renoir’s Garden-themed paintings is Claude Monet Painting in His Garden at Argenteuil, from 1873. The garden represents serenity, nature, an oasis from the urban jungles of Europe and even reflects one of Renoir’s favorite activities.
The Cityscapes mostly reflect Paris, and 1875’s Place St-Georges is no exception to this rule. Many of Renoir’s early city paintings showcase the evolution of Paris, which was constantly changing and growing throughout his career.
Similar to the Gardens and the Cityscapes, the collection of Figures in the Landscape combines the visual world around Renoir with the beauty of what cannot always be seen right away. Luncheon at La Fournaise, also painted in 1875, is almost timeless with three lunch patrons and the lush garden behind them. It’s easy to notice the background because the colors are bright and serene. The colors are also noticeable in View of Naples, Morning, an 1881 example of Travel and Landscape. The sky has never been a more pastel shade of blue, and Renoir captured this morning in an innovative and experimental way. The Travel and Landscape paintings are often considered to be some of Renoir’s more intriguing pieces throughout his career.
These exhibits are often once in a lifetime, especially Renoir, and should not be missed. Philadelphia is a unique, historical city on its own. Coupled with this extraordinary exhibit, it is worth a visit to take it all in.
For tickets to Renoir, call 215.235.SHOW during regular business hours (9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) or visit www.philamuseum.org.