On April 15, 1874, a group of young artists put their paintings on display in Paris – and Impressionism was born.
Their move was in protest against the strict admission rules of the country’s official salons, where their style was not wanted. The personal impressions, loose brushstrokes, strong colours and themes of everyday life were radical at the time.
And yet their approach was one that, rather fittingly, left an impression on the art world.
Now, 150 years later, Dutch museums are celebrating the anniversary of Impressionism with around 140 landmark works on display in the exhibition “Vive l’impressionnisme!” (Long live Impressionism) at Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum.
Starting on October 11, top pieces by French Impressionists from Dutch collections will be on display there, including works by Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Paul Cézanne, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Camille Pissarro. Ten museums and seven private collections are taking part in the exhibition.
