Neo Impressionists: A Must-See Show

Maximilien Luce- a new favorite

Columbus Museum of Art 
Beyond Impressionism Exhibit 
which features Neo-Impressionists, Nabis and Symbolism
Now through January 21

 If you can, I encourage you to go see this amazing show! I loved it!

We went to Columbus last weekend for a short adventure/getaway. Online I had found that the Columbus Museum of Art was having a special 'Beyond Impressionism' show and I was excited to go to see it. I convinced my husband that it could be a Foodie & Art Weekend.

Us in a Bonnard lithograph

 I did not recognize all of the Neo-Impressionists nor did I remember the term 'Neo Impressionist.' These artists came after The Impressionists and many knew Monet. Most Neo-Impressionists were pointillists painting street scenes and landscapes using brilliant color ala Seurat. I loved all of the bright colorful pointillist paintings and found a new artist whose work I love. Maximilien Luce is featured prominently in this show and I had never heard of him before. Luce's work is luminous and lovely, I left wanting to find out more about him.

Monet's Weeping Willow

I also loved seeing a large Monet when first entering the show --a  large lovely Monet-style water lily painting. In the next room was a large dark and moody Monet that was fascinating and wonderful. When I show my art friends the 'moody Monet' photo they all say that it looks like my painting style--I wish! I loved reading about the Weeping Willow Monet painting (large and dark), which without seeing the signature I would not have known as a Monet.  The Weeping Willow was painted more than 30 years later than the water lily painting. Painted during a war (1918), it says much about the mind and time of Monet.

Lautrec color lithograph

I was thrilled to go around the corner to find what must have been 20 lithographs by Pierre Bonnard. I love his paintings but it was good to see his lithographs taking up an entire wall. Also unexpected was the Toulouse Lautrec Ambassadeurs color lithograph - prominently displayed and such a nice surprise.

There are so many more works in the Beyond collection, but you need to go and explore on your own. Also, after leaving the Beyond Impressionism show, you should tour the museum and their collection. I loved the George Bellows room and seeing portraits by Robert Henri (a personal favorite), Sargent, Matisse and more.

Pointillist Style: Signac

Art friends, I encourage you to take an art weekend and head down to Columbus to the Columbus Museum of Art--you won't regret it! Contact me and I will also give you a few restaurant recommendations!