From rejecting the Salon in 1874 to a virtual reality tour 150 years later… that’s quite the journey! Whilst these days I don’t particularly love the work of that movement, it still remains one of the most fascinating and exciting in art history. I can recall some of my earliest art history classes and understanding everything of the modern era in dialogue with what happened in that year. I’d love to visit the museum, too. I only managed the Pompidou and Louvre on my art college Paris visit 25 years ago, and have only flitted through the city in the years since.
I’m fond of much from that era, but it just doesn’t ignite passion like much modern art can or anything like as much as a bit of Caravaggio or Rembrandt! ❤️
Oh I'm with you re Caravaggio - I've travelled Europe to see his paintings in situ. Always takes my breath away. I don't know if you're watching Ripley on Netflix. Much enjoying it myself especially as a Caravaggio pops up in most episodes and even in black and white they are stunning.
Change, particularly in the creative arts, always causes outrage among some people, including professional crotics. I happen to like the Impressionists, because they set out to do something with emotions and feelings. That there is a huge exhibition 150 years later proves to me that they succeeded. I am looking right now at a copy of a Renoir, "The Artist Garden at Giverny," haning on my living room wall. What a feeling. Thank you, Harry, for this report.
Pleasure Perry and my biggest surprise was that van Gogh thought so little of Impressionism on first seeing the paintings. Didn't take him long to change his mind!
I plan to see the 'Van Gogh - Poets and Lovers' exhibition later this year in London's National Gallery. I suspect I will have seen many before but I'm in London for a few days before Christmas so didn't want to miss the chance.
Ah, I admit to being very, very jealous. I would have loved to have had a chance to see that show. Thank you for taking us with you on your visit, Harry!
Thanks Jodi and there is the 'Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment' from September this year to January next in the National Gallery, Washington, DC that I think has many of the same pieces (not sure about the VR). Not sure of your location but might be worth checking out?
Oh, I didn't know that...but honestly, even the Impressionists aren't enough to lure me to Washington during this election season! I'm a long way away, and intend to stay that way. 😂
The journey and following week were quite tough. While we talk every week, exchange messages daily and visit each other this was our first trip away since separation. We travelled much when together so of course different memories and feelings come back to you when away from a 'domestic' environment. All good now though. We've chatted since and written to each other (we've done that constantly through the years) as Sarah mentioned she worries at times that the loft boarding in her place might not cope with the weight of our correspondence. Sarah is visiting me in September and I'm staying with her for a few days in October and December. Our next 'big' event is travelling to a favourite destination of ours, Lake Como next year and we'll both be better prepared for the emotional rollercoaster afterwards ....
That must have been very hard, Harry. It’s so good that you have created a life for yourself in Blaydon, but nevertheless, these times are very difficult. As you say, you will both now be better prepared emotionally for the end of the Lake Como holiday, next year.
I've not quite yet reached the venerable age when Robert Frost offered these words on his 80th birthday but I've always thought they made sense...
"In three words, I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: It goes on. In all the confusions of today, with all our troubles, with politicians and people slinging the word ‘fear’ around, all of us become discouraged, tempted to say this is the end, the finish. But life — it goes on. It always has. It always will. Don’t forget that."
So true, and we only have one life, so we have to make the best we can of it. I think you have had a good life and you have loved and been loved. That is an achievement in itself. And here you are, now in your Renaissance!
What a wonderfully rich experience, from the museum itself, to the artworks and finally the use of VR. Thank you so much for sharing this visit, Harry. So pleased that you and Sarah enjoyed your trip.
It was truly wonderful Maureen although I felt a heart twang after Sarah and I said goodbye to each other on returning to London and I watched as she walked away to disappear into the crowd on the Euston Road. She told me afterwards that she deliberately didn't look back to save herself that.
Van Gogh is an interesting person, how in the world, MONDE, how he could survive as an artist, selling only 1 painting in his life & career, is something of a mystery. I come away from your posts feeling a tad SMARTER.
He had some type of emotional problem, so I understand. If he had lived in our time period he very likely would've paired with a competent doctor perhaps.
Indeed - suspicion is he was bi-polar and maybe also syphilitic (his brother died of syphilis a few months after Vincent and they were known to visit brothels together)
Excellent write up, Harry. Really interesting to read about the VR experience too. We sidestepped that for reasons that evade me now, but it does sound good. So glad you had what sounds like a fabulous Paris break with Sarah.
Thank you Barrie and yes the VR did add to the whole experience. Was a great break and Sarah may even brave the frozen northeast later in the summer for a short stay...
Thanks George and yes,because the Musée D'Orsay has put a lot of thought and effort into the exhibition, the VR does enhance understanding. Especially for those who may not be overly familiar with how different Impressionism was when compared to then mainstream painting. For those planning a visit I suggest looking at the paintings first then do the VR. You don't have to do them both as they are sold as two different tickets (that you can buy at the same time if you wish) of which the VR sells out more quickly as there are far fewer places.
I've been looking forward to reading about your visit to this exhibition, Harry. Thanks for writing such a thorough overview.
I had no idea it would have a VR component too - and admittedly, do tend to be pretty sceptical about too much technology in exhibitions. But this one sounds like it has been done very thoughtfully.
Glad to know you and Sarah enjoyed the exhibition together.
From rejecting the Salon in 1874 to a virtual reality tour 150 years later… that’s quite the journey! Whilst these days I don’t particularly love the work of that movement, it still remains one of the most fascinating and exciting in art history. I can recall some of my earliest art history classes and understanding everything of the modern era in dialogue with what happened in that year. I’d love to visit the museum, too. I only managed the Pompidou and Louvre on my art college Paris visit 25 years ago, and have only flitted through the city in the years since.
One of my favourite galleries, Matt but then again I'm still a fan of the Impressionists.
I’m fond of much from that era, but it just doesn’t ignite passion like much modern art can or anything like as much as a bit of Caravaggio or Rembrandt! ❤️
Oh I'm with you re Caravaggio - I've travelled Europe to see his paintings in situ. Always takes my breath away. I don't know if you're watching Ripley on Netflix. Much enjoying it myself especially as a Caravaggio pops up in most episodes and even in black and white they are stunning.
Ripley… on my radar, yes! Waiting for the run of days when Charlotte and I can be with time to sit down to watch it together. Soon, I hope!
Enjoy!
Change, particularly in the creative arts, always causes outrage among some people, including professional crotics. I happen to like the Impressionists, because they set out to do something with emotions and feelings. That there is a huge exhibition 150 years later proves to me that they succeeded. I am looking right now at a copy of a Renoir, "The Artist Garden at Giverny," haning on my living room wall. What a feeling. Thank you, Harry, for this report.
Pleasure Perry and my biggest surprise was that van Gogh thought so little of Impressionism on first seeing the paintings. Didn't take him long to change his mind!
And we are better for it as a result. His Chair is my favourite, even more so than Starry Night.
I plan to see the 'Van Gogh - Poets and Lovers' exhibition later this year in London's National Gallery. I suspect I will have seen many before but I'm in London for a few days before Christmas so didn't want to miss the chance.
Sounds delightful, Harry.
Ah, I admit to being very, very jealous. I would have loved to have had a chance to see that show. Thank you for taking us with you on your visit, Harry!
Thanks Jodi and there is the 'Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment' from September this year to January next in the National Gallery, Washington, DC that I think has many of the same pieces (not sure about the VR). Not sure of your location but might be worth checking out?
Oh, I didn't know that...but honestly, even the Impressionists aren't enough to lure me to Washington during this election season! I'm a long way away, and intend to stay that way. 😂
At least the General Election in the UK will all be over by this time next month. We vote on the 4th July (ummmmm that date rings a bell 😉)
So understandable, Harry. You shared, I think, almost twenty years together. Hope you were ok on the journey home.
The journey and following week were quite tough. While we talk every week, exchange messages daily and visit each other this was our first trip away since separation. We travelled much when together so of course different memories and feelings come back to you when away from a 'domestic' environment. All good now though. We've chatted since and written to each other (we've done that constantly through the years) as Sarah mentioned she worries at times that the loft boarding in her place might not cope with the weight of our correspondence. Sarah is visiting me in September and I'm staying with her for a few days in October and December. Our next 'big' event is travelling to a favourite destination of ours, Lake Como next year and we'll both be better prepared for the emotional rollercoaster afterwards ....
That must have been very hard, Harry. It’s so good that you have created a life for yourself in Blaydon, but nevertheless, these times are very difficult. As you say, you will both now be better prepared emotionally for the end of the Lake Como holiday, next year.
I've not quite yet reached the venerable age when Robert Frost offered these words on his 80th birthday but I've always thought they made sense...
"In three words, I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: It goes on. In all the confusions of today, with all our troubles, with politicians and people slinging the word ‘fear’ around, all of us become discouraged, tempted to say this is the end, the finish. But life — it goes on. It always has. It always will. Don’t forget that."
So true, and we only have one life, so we have to make the best we can of it. I think you have had a good life and you have loved and been loved. That is an achievement in itself. And here you are, now in your Renaissance!
😊👍
What a wonderfully rich experience, from the museum itself, to the artworks and finally the use of VR. Thank you so much for sharing this visit, Harry. So pleased that you and Sarah enjoyed your trip.
It was truly wonderful Maureen although I felt a heart twang after Sarah and I said goodbye to each other on returning to London and I watched as she walked away to disappear into the crowd on the Euston Road. She told me afterwards that she deliberately didn't look back to save herself that.
Van Gogh is an interesting person, how in the world, MONDE, how he could survive as an artist, selling only 1 painting in his life & career, is something of a mystery. I come away from your posts feeling a tad SMARTER.
Thanks Daniel, and it was Theo, Vincents brother who pretty much supported him and 'buying' many of his paintings.
He had some type of emotional problem, so I understand. If he had lived in our time period he very likely would've paired with a competent doctor perhaps.
Indeed - suspicion is he was bi-polar and maybe also syphilitic (his brother died of syphilis a few months after Vincent and they were known to visit brothels together)
Excellent write up, Harry. Really interesting to read about the VR experience too. We sidestepped that for reasons that evade me now, but it does sound good. So glad you had what sounds like a fabulous Paris break with Sarah.
Thank you Barrie and yes the VR did add to the whole experience. Was a great break and Sarah may even brave the frozen northeast later in the summer for a short stay...
💛💛
Thanks George and yes,because the Musée D'Orsay has put a lot of thought and effort into the exhibition, the VR does enhance understanding. Especially for those who may not be overly familiar with how different Impressionism was when compared to then mainstream painting. For those planning a visit I suggest looking at the paintings first then do the VR. You don't have to do them both as they are sold as two different tickets (that you can buy at the same time if you wish) of which the VR sells out more quickly as there are far fewer places.
I've been looking forward to reading about your visit to this exhibition, Harry. Thanks for writing such a thorough overview.
I had no idea it would have a VR component too - and admittedly, do tend to be pretty sceptical about too much technology in exhibitions. But this one sounds like it has been done very thoughtfully.
Glad to know you and Sarah enjoyed the exhibition together.