The National Gallery of Canada has organized the European tour of Canada and Impressionism: New Horizons. The collaborative show with the Kunsthalle München (Munich, Germany), Fondation de l’Hermitage (Lausanne, Switzerland) and Musée Fabre (Montpellier, France) will open in Munich this July.
Creative Minds of Canadian Impressionists
The exhibit will spotlight major Canadian artists who introduced Impressionism to larger audiences. Providing a view into the creative minds of the Canadian Impressionists, the show will illuminate many who remained unknown beyond the boundaries of their homeland.
While residing in France during their studies and travels across Europe, the Canadian artists developed their own style of painting scenes focused on fleeting moments. French Impressionists including Monet, Renoir, Pissarro and others influenced their work. However, after returning to Canada, the extraordinary light and landscapes of the North inspired new approaches and interpretations.
Exhibition Group Into Seven Thematic Sections
The works in this exhibition are grouped into seven thematic sections. They follow the Canadian artists‘ development from their early interest in the Barbizon School of Painting to their immersion in Impressionism. These include On the Road to Impressionism: Canadian Artists Abroad; Impressions of France: Canadians in the Countryside; Canadian Artists at the Water’s Edge; Youth and Sunlight: Reflections of Childhood; Quiet Pursuits: Women at Leisure; A Journey Home: Canadian Impressionists Return; and Painting Canada: From Impressionism to Modernism.
The exhibition will also feature seminal works by leading female artists including Mary Bell Eastlake, Emily Carr, Prudence Heward and Sophie Pemberton. One section completely focuses on women at leisure.
Covering nearly five decades, Canada and Impressionism: New Horizons features approximately 120 paintings by 35 Canadian artists. Their work was assembled from renowned public and private collections in Canada and abroad.
Three European Venues Before the National Gallery of Canada
Canada and Impressionism: New Horizons (Le Canada et l’impressionnisme. Nouveaux horizons / In einem neuen Licht: Kanada und der Impressionismus) will be presented in three European venues:
- Kunsthalle München in Munich, Germany, from July 19 to November 17, 2019
- Fondation de l’Hermitage in Lausanne, Switzerland, from January 24 to May 24, 2020
- Musée Fabre in Montpellier, France from June 13 to September 27, 2020
Beginning in fall 2020, the exhibition will be shown at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa. Archival and photographic materials, works on paper and sculptures will also be displayed.