Impressionism: a Disney movie without all of the singing
Nature? Good. Romance? I can dig it. Impressionism? Bite me. You know what Impressionism is? It’s a beautiful, made-up, dream-like view at an otherwise harsh, sometimes cruel reality. Impressionism is to art viewers what Disney movies are to the generation of 20-somethings that grew up expecting perfect hair, woodland friends, and Prince Charming – not to mention the desire to go around singing about everything all of the damn time.
Oil on canvas, 60 x 73 cm.
Private collection.
Impressionism (literally) paints everything in these bright, vibrant colours of airy, almost carefree delight. The content matter is a dance here, a pond there, some lilies on the side. If real life were full of dances, ponds, and lilies, surely there’d be a lot more singing going on. You can argue that Impressionism isn’t meant to depict the image as much as it’s meant to depict the feeling of a time and place. To which I say: poppycock. Does anyone say poppycock anymore?
Oil on canvas, 90.5 x 89.7 cm.
Princeton University Art Museum, Princeton (New Jersey).
Where’s the dirt? The grit? Ponds have scum, dances end, and lilies – alright, I’ve got nothing bad to say about lilies. From afar, you see all of this vibrance and light, but I challenge you to step up to an Impressionist painting, let your noses touch. Not so pretty anymore, is it? You feel a bit lost, like what on earth have you delved into; where might you be going? Did someone slip something into your tea?
The Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, Moscow.
Generally, I would say run in the other direction, but we all know the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza is known for exceptional things. So schlep over to the Impressionism and Open-Air Painting exhibit through 1 May. If you find Impressionism as tedious as I do, then Impressionism by Nathalia Brodskaya (available on ebook-gallery.com) is not for you – HOWEVER, if you disagree with me and like a dream-like state induced by vibrant colours, then it IS for you – so buy it.
-Le Lorrain Andrews
Parkstone International
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