Crash Course in Impressionism—Courtauld Impressionists: From Manet to Cézanne

Jane Avril, famous from Henri Toulouse-Lautrec posters, is shown here not in her scene persona, but outside of Moulin Rouge. The painting is very different from the typically loud and full of warm colours posters created by this artist. It’s almost as if it tried to highlight how very different real life is from the stage. All the way to a complete change of the colour palette.

Honoré Daumier

Daumier, typically associated with his prints and drawings, here had a chance to show his painter’s skills. His palette was dark, and his paintings focused on reflecting the atmosphere more than anything else. It is interesting to observe how different medium of expression impacts his work.

Paul Cézanne

Cézanne was quite well represented; there were a few of his still lives and several landscapes. They all give us a great sense of his focus on structure, but nothing drives it home like this painting. It shows he was a painter consistent in his explorations, but not limited by them.

Paul Gauguin

As you scroll through this article, you will notice that there are quite a few paintings of women. They all seem very focused, introspective, and detached. Even when they look straight at the viewer, they seem not to connect with us. As if they are occupied by their own internal struggle and problems. It is a pity that no woman painters were represented in the exhibition.

Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Impressionists were often inspired by photography. This painting is a clear example of this trend. Clearly, it is captured like a photo frame, with the feeling of being transient and unfinished. Just snapped and captured in the moment, an ambition that Impressionism shared with photography.

Pierre Bonnard

The exhibition had its highlights, but it also had its worst moments. For example, I was not convinced by Pierre Bonnard’s works selected. They felt like they did not meet the mark set by the other painters. Nor did they tell me anything new about Bonnard as a painter.

Vincent van Gogh

Yet, it only took a few steps to allow our eyes to rest on true masterpieces. This was the main charm of this show; it was like a box of chocolates, compact and varied, and most of them very, very tasty. It did not aim to change our ideas about Impressionists and Post-Impressionists. Rather, it makes sure we’re acquainted with them and with Samuel Courtauld, without whose passion for art those paintings would never be brought together in the United Kingdom.