Landscape seen through Impressionism

Vincent van Gogh’s “The Langlois Bridge”

By Kwon Mee-yoo

Impressionism is known for its unique brushstrokes, portrayal of fleeting light and use of vibrant colors. A new exhibition, "Impressionist Landscape," sheds light on Impressionism, one of Koreans’ favorite art genres.

However, Seo Soun-jou, commissioner of the exhibit, asks a more fundamental question ― How much do we know about Impressionism?

"This exhibit looks back on the history of Impressionism through landscapes from the perspective of art history," Seo said. "Impressionism was born from natural light, depicting natural phenomenon. Artists interpreted natural colors subjectively and it trail-blazed a new era of colored paintings."

Landscapes were not a main theme for Western painting until the 19th century. The development of Impressionist landscape painting is closely related to that of science. The invention of the collapsible metal paint tube and expansion of railways allowed artists to go outdoors and capture the ever-changing effect of light and scenery.

Paul Signac’s “The Harbor at Concarneau”

The exhibit features some 70 paintings, mainly borrowed from the Wallraf-Richartz Museum in Cologne, Germany, and displays works in chronological order for better understanding of the history.

"Impressionist landscape paintings are loved by a wide range of audiences because it best presents nature in a harmony of light and color," Seo said. Seo is an expert in Impressionism and previously organized exhibits of Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet and Paul Gauguin.

The exhibit consists of six parts ― “Precursors of Impressionism,” “French Impressionism,” “Post-Impressionism,” “Neo-Impressionism,” “Fauves and Nabis” and “German Impressionism”.

In “Precursors of Impressionism,” the works of Camille Corot, Gustave Courbet and Eugene Boudin give a glimpse of the birth of Impressionism.

Paul Cezanne’s “Landscape in the West of Aix-en-Provence”

The “French Impressionism” section features many household-name artists such as Edouard Manet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Monet.

“Post-Impressionism” shows how Impressionism is linked to the beginning of modern art through the paintings of Paul Cezanne, van Gogh and Gauguin.

“Neo-Impressionism” was led by Pointillists including Paul Signac, William Finch and Edmond Cross.

“Fauves and Nabis” includes a group of artists who mastered Impressionism and started a new way of painting based on it, such as Edouard Vuillard and Henri Matisse.

The final part, “German Impressionists,” shows how German painters were influenced by the trend initiated in France.

The exhibit runs from Dec. 19 to April 3 at Hangaram Design Museum in Seoul Arts Center, southern Seoul. Admission is 15,000 won for adults. For more information, visit www.impressionism.kr or call 1588-2618.