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Highlights of Impressionism

14/04/2010

Consider the Water Lillies @ National Museum of Wales
 Highlights of Impressionism
National Museum Wales, Cardiff
4/5

This National Museum Wales-orchestrated exhibition showcases some of the finest examples of 19th Century impressionist art, including timeless works by Monet, Renoir and Cézanne.

Part of one of the largest assembled permanent collection of impressionist works in Europe, its standout exhibits feature a couple of Claude Monet’s masterpieces, including examples from his 250-strong Water Lilies collection from the early 1900s. These two pieces alone justify coming to see this engaging collection.

Hosted in the National Museum Wales gallery space, the intimate room hosts something akin to an introduction to impressionism. A select few of the greats from the period are all here, accompanied with detailed background information. Extravagant frames leafed with gold flourishes add weight to the artistry on display.

Auguste Rodin’s dramatic sculpture, The Kiss – part of the museum’s Davies Sisters collection – sits majestically in the centre of the room, a focal point commanding instant attention. But not to be outshone, Monet’s Water Lillies is no shrinking violet; it is a work that perfectly showcases the French painter’s ability to “capture a passing moment”.

Rodin focused mainly on the effects of the light outdoors, using broken colour and rapid brushstrokes in a way that helped give birth to the impressionist genre.

Other standout works featured include those by Eugene Louis Boudin, one of Monet’s original mentors. His works manage to create a dramatic blurring of light and darkness with distinctive lines of precise detail, such as the oil sketch, The Village Market.

Impressionism was a genre that had the same initial baffling cultural impact on late 19th Century audience that postmodern art has subsequently had on contemporary life. Despite the initial puzzled reaction to the impressionist form, a glimpse of this exhibition makes it clear why it is so dearly treasured today. 

The genius of so many of the artists featured in this exhibition lies in their ability to use the mundane and find a way to express everyday life beautifully. The works continue to survive on lofty reputation and this show, although small, helps celebrate the fruits of those who dared to break the mould and create something new. 

By Caroline Baldwin
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