The Cummer Hosts Impressionist and Post-Impressionist Collection from the High Museum of Art

Maximilien Luce, (French, 1858 – 1941), Port of London, Night,

1894, Oil on canvas, 28 x 35 1/4 inches, Gift in memory

 of Caroline Massell Selig (1919-1984) , 1985.22.

A Room with Several Views
You may have passed by the Cummer and noticed their banner that reads, "Monet was a Misfit."  I did, and did a "double-take."  Not only did the phrase catch my eye, but the exhibit itself caught my attention, as it showcases a pretty significant collection from the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, GA.  There are close to 50 works displayed, tracing the evolution of the movement from beginnings with artists, such as Eugène Boudin,  who transitioned from the realism of the academic Salon to free brushstrokes and more vivid colors, through the Post-Impressionist movement artists such as: Paul Gauguin, Paul Cézanne, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Pierre Bonnard, and Edouard Vuillard.

The Cummer's three gardens, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, were one of the reasons the museum was selected to host this exhibit.  Landscapes were one of the key subject matters of impressionist painters, particularly gardens. Many impressionists were known for painting their subject on site in open air, otherwise referred to as "en plein air."  This visual relationship between the paintings and the formal gardens is one that few museums can offer. 

Museum curator Holly Keris states,

"These artists were considered rebels for breaking with tradition, not only in terms of subject matter --they preferred not to paint the standard religious, historical, or mythological scenes --but also in terms of technique.  The impressionists were the first group of artists to have paint in tubes, a recent invention, available to them.  This led them to paint outdoors, instead of creating and finishing works in the studio. The timing of this exhibition could not be better.  In a few short weeks, The Cummer Gardens will be in full bloom, and visitors will not only be able to see great works of art indoors, but also see the beauty of the natural world."

A Response to Photography--Your Photograph as a Response

The vividness of the colors is also an artistic response to the advent of photography and the need for realistic painted portraits diminishing.  Instead of competing with a photograph's accurate representation of reality, they created visual effects through loose brushstrokes. These artists captured atmospheres and moods in color, contrasting black and white photography. Like photographers, impressionists captured a "moment in time" and movement. 

To this end, the Cummer is hosting a photography event or "experience."  From their website:

Calling all Photo Enthusiasts: February 16 – May 5
The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens invites experienced and novice photographers alike to capture reflected images or reflected light along the St. Johns River. From February 16 through May 5, 2012, send between one and three photos to lstevens@cummer.org. All appropriate photos will be shared on The Cummer’s Flickr account. This is not a contest, but rather a shared photo experience celebrating Impressionism and creative expression.

Exhibition Details: February 16, 2012 - May 6, 2012 (The Minerva and Raymond K. Mason Gallery)

Key Lectures:

Lecture: Brilliant Transformations: Masterpieces of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism: Dr. Debra Murphy, University of North Florida. Tuesday, February 28 at 7 p.m. $5 Members and Non-members

Lecture: Special Guest Lecturer David Brenneman, Director of Collections and Exhibitions, High Museum of Art. Tuesday, March 6 at 7 p.m. $5 Members and Non-members

For more information, visit the exhibit page on the Cummer Museum website.