The Masters Come to the Bennington Museum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 17 2007

CONTACT: Katie McElwain/ Marketing Coordinator

(802) 447-1571 Fax (802) 442-8305

The Masters Come to the Bennington Museum

On August 3 at 7:00 p.m., the Bennington Museum will host the opening reception for “Masters of Impressionism & Beyond”, an exhibit consisting of 27 rarely shown pieces from private collections. The exhibition will then be on public view daily, 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m., from August 4 through October 31.

In European bourgeois society in the first half of the 19^th century, the art world rarely deviated from the long accepted ideals of beauty. Art was recognizable to anyone because of artists’ technical skill in precise drawing, smooth surfaces, idealized human figures, and accepted subjects, usually biblical or mythological.

The idea of personal artistic expression outside of this framework was almost foreign to the general public until a group of artists boldly went against these long established painting techniques. The artists were widely mocked in the conservative circles of Parisian society, and their works were not accepted as “real” or “serious” art by critics of the time.

It was in Paris in 1863 that these radical painters first exhibited as a group in an art show called the Salon des Refuses, sanctioned by Emperor Napoleon III to appease those artists who had been denied participation in the official Salon. The term Impressionism was coined by an outraged critic in 1874 to describe the latest work of these free spirits who where searching for artistic independence.

This group of painters embraced light and color. They tried to capture their optical “impressions” of the visual world, rather than producing highly finished, academic views. Through dabs and blobs of colorful paint, instead of clear lines and carefully modeled forms, they heightened the depth and movement of their paintings. The region in and around Paris provided an endless source of modern subject matter for these Impressionists, who included Monet, Manet, Pissarro, Renoir, Sisely, Degas, and others.

Their influence eventually spread to other parts of the world. Those following in the French artists' footsteps included Americans Mary Cassatt, Frederick William MacMonnies, Theodore Robinson, William Morris Hunt and scores of others. It was through Impressionism that other modern styles evolved, such as Post-Impressionism, Cubism, Pointillism, and Pictorialism. The exhibit at the Bennington Museum, “Masters of Impressionism & Beyond” explores the development of Impressionism, and its impact on later artists. In particular it follows the trail of Impressionism from France to America, and even more specifically to Vermont.

In the second half of the 20^th century Impressionism gained enormous popularity, a popularity that would probably surprise the artists themselves. Degas, Monet, and Renoir are names that are easily recognizable even by those who are not art enthusiasts. With this popularity comes the overuse of these images on commercialized items. The avant-garde, pioneering aura that originally accompanied these paintings is sometimes lost. With the exhibition at the Bennington Museum visitors will have the opportunity to see Impressionist works in person and experience the light, the texture, and the beauty that influenced so many other art forms.

Included in “Masters of Impressionism & Beyond” are works by Monet, Degas, Renoir, Cassatt, Rodin, and Frederick William MacMonnies, whose stunning full-length portrait of Bennington resident May Palmer was actually painted in Monet’s garden in Giverny. Among many other artists featured in the exhibit are some major avant-garde figures who were influenced by the Impressionists such as Pierre Bonnard, Fernand Leger, and Pablo Picasso. This exhibit is an amazing opportunity for those in the Bennington community, or those visiting this area, to see works of exceptional caliber in an intimate setting.

Join the museum for a special opening reception on Friday, August 3 at 7:00 p.m. to celebrate this exhibit. Be among the first to view the paintings, and then journey to the South of France for delicious hors d’oeuvres created by Alldays & Onions, themed drinks at the open bar, and lively music. Join curator Jamie Franklin for a gallery talk on highlights of the exhibition. Tickets are $75 per person. Only 100 will be sold, so reserve your ticket by calling the museum at 802-447-1571. RSVP by July 30.

“Masters of Impressionism & Beyond” is made possible through the generous support of Applejack Art Partners, the Town of Bennington, Aaron Young Fine Arts, and TD Banknorth. The museum is located at 75 Main St. and is open daily 10-5. Closed Wednesdays. Visit www.benningtonmuseum.org for more information or cal 802-447-1571.