Federico Zandomeneghi, Study of a Woman from Behind, 1890-97. Galleria D'Arte Moderna, Milan.
In the second half of the 19th century a group of young artists started working outside – painting what they saw and focusing on scenes of everyday, modern life. Of course, the Impressionists need no introduction – they are one of the most popular groups of artists around – but the point is that they were rebelling against the requirements of France’s Académie Royale to plan their paintings before they even started. They painted straight onto the canvas, and rarely relied on sketches – or, at least, that is the general assumption. As a result, it might come as a surprise to learn that they produced numerous works on paper.
But then again, they were innovative, and a major innovation here was that drawings and paintings on paper could be works of art in their own right. The artists exploited new techniques and materials, as well as looking back to media that had been favoured in the past – such as pastel. The Royal Academy’s current exhibition looks at the wide variety of their work, considers how the young artists influenced conservative contemporaries and formed a foundation for the experimentation of the Post Impressionists.
This talk by Dr Richard Stemp is a thorough introduction to the exhibition, looking at its most interesting and significant works, and questioning why its title may not be as accurate as you might expect.
Impressionists on Paper: From Degas to Toulouse Lautrec is at the Royal Academy until 10 March 2024.
Proceeds from ARTscapades ticket sales benefit museums, galleries and other arts-based organisations and projects.
This is an online event hosted on Zoom which can be watched live, or on-demand for one month afterwards. You will receive your link to access the event in your email confirmation and the on-demand link after the event ends.