Press Release  April 17, 2019  Chandra Noyes

Impressionism's Greatest Hits, Now at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Image courtesy of Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2019

The Philadelphia Museum of Art has a collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings to rival that of world’s most famous museums. This summer they’re showing off their collection, along with a few loaned works, in The Impressionist’s Eye, an exhibition of more than 80 of art history’s most popular works. 

Bringing together work in a variety of media by Monet, Van Gogh, Gaugin, Degas, Cassatt and their contemporaries, the exhibition offers the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in this era of sensational art. The vibrancy of color and twinkling light of this period of experimentation brings the viewer straight to Monet’s garden or the Moulin Rouge. By comparing the works of these artists, their subjects, and milieu, we get a real sense of what life at the end of the 19th century in Paris was like.

The Impressionist’s Eye is a wonderful opportunity to experience these works first hand, from the most famous masterpieces to delicate works on paper that are not often displayed. The truly innovative nature and unique vision of these artists is obvious, though still utterly stunning.

Sunflowers, 1889, by Vincent Willem van Gogh
Image courtesy of Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2019

Sunflowers, 1889, by Vincent Willem van Gogh. Oil on canvas, 36 3/8 × 28 inches. The Mr. and Mrs. Carroll S. Tyson, Jr., Collection, 1963.

Bend in the Epte River near Giverny, 1888, by Claude Monet
Courtesy of Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2019

Bend in the Epte River near Giverny, 1888, by Claude Monet, French, 1840 – 1926. Oil on canvas, 29 x 36 9/16 inches. The William L. Elkins Collection, 1924.

The Large Bathers, 1900-1906, by Paul Cézanne.
Courtesy of Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2019

The Large Bathers, 1900-1906, by Paul Cézanne. Oil on canvas, 6 feet 10 7/8 inches × 8 feet 2 3/4 inches. Purchased with the W. P. Wilstach Fund, 1937.

A Woman and a Girl Driving, by Mary Stevenson Cassatt, 1881
Image courtesy of Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2019

A Woman and a Girl Driving, by Mary Stevenson Cassatt, 1881. Oil on canvas, 35 5/16 × 51 3/8 inches. Purchased with the W. P. Wilstach Fund, 1921.

The Sacred Mountain (Parahi Te Marae), 1892, by Paul Gauguin
Image courtesy of Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2019.

The Sacred Mountain (Parahi Te Marae), 1892, by Paul Gauguin. Oil on canvas, 26 x 35 inches. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Rodolphe Meyer de Schauensee, 1980.

Moored Boats and Trees (Bateaux Amarrés et Arbres), 1890, by Georges Seurat.
Image courtesy of Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2019

Moored Boats and Trees (Bateaux Amarrés et Arbres), 1890, by Georges Seurat. Oil on wood, 6 5/16 × 9 13/16 inches. Gift of Jacqueline Matisse Monnier in memory of Anne d'Harnoncourt, 2008.

The Great Bathers, 1884-1887, Pierre-Auguste Renoir.
Image courtesy of Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2019

The Great Bathers, 1884-1887, Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Oil on canvas, 46 3/8 × 67 1/4 inches. The Mr. and Mrs. Carroll S. Tyson, Jr., Collection, 1963.

Railroad to Dieppe, 1886, by Camille Pissarro
Image courtesy of Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2019

Railroad to Dieppe, 1886, by Camille Pissarro. Oil on canvas, 21 × 25 inches; Framed: 32 × 35 inches. Bequest of Helen Tyson Madeira, 2014.

At the Moulin Rouge: The Dance, 1889-1890, by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec,
Image courtesy of Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2019

At the Moulin Rouge: The Dance, 1889-1890, by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Oil on canvas, 45 1/2 × 59 inches. The Henry P. McIlhenny Collection in memory of Frances P. McIlhenny, 1986.

Japanese Footbridge and the Water Lily Pool, Giverny, 1899, by Claude Monet.
Image courtesy of Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2019

Japanese Footbridge and the Water Lily Pool, Giverny, 1899, by Claude Monet. Oil on canvas, 35 1/8 × 36 3/4 inches. The Mr. and Mrs. Carroll S. Tyson, Jr., Collection, 1963.

Haystacks, 1888, by Vincent Willem van Gogh
Image courtesy of Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2019

Haystacks, 1888, by Vincent Willem van Gogh. Reed and quill pens and brown ink over graphite on wove paper, Sheet: 9 1/2 x 12 1/2 inches. The Samuel S. White 3rd and Vera White Collection, 1962.

Basket of Fruit, c. 1864, by Édouard Manet.
Image courtesy of Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2019

Basket of Fruit, c. 1864, by Édouard Manet. Oil on canvas. 15 × 18 1/8 inches. 125th Anniversary Acquisition. Gift of Helen Tyson Madeira, 2000.

The Ballet Class, 1880-1881, by Hilaire-Germain-Edgar Degas
Image courtesy of Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2019.

The Ballet Class, 1880-1881, by Hilaire-Germain-Edgar Degas. Oil on canvas, 32 3/8 x 30 1/4 inches; Framed: 41 1/2 × 39 5/8 × 2 5/8 inches. Purchased with the W. P. Wilstach Fund, 1937.

Mont Sainte-Victoire, 1902-1904, by Paul Cézanne
Image courtesy of Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2019

Mont Sainte-Victoire, 1902-1904, by Paul Cézanne. Oil on canvas, 28 3/4 × 36 3/16 inches. The George W. Elkins Collection, 1936.

Young Woman with Brown Hair, 1894, by Berthe-Marie-Pauline Morisot.
Image courtesy of Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2019

Young Woman with Brown Hair, 1894, by Berthe-Marie-Pauline Morisot. Watercolor and graphite on paper, sheet: 9 1/8 x 6 5/8 inches. The Louis E. Stern Collection, 1963.

About the Author

Chandra Noyes

Chandra Noyes is the former Managing Editor for Art & Object.

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