The Musée d'Orsay houses today one of the most important collections of Impressionist paintings in the world. Following the steps of the visitor, this book presents a hundred of its masterpieces and tells the story of a prestigious movement that revolutionised art history.
Beginning with the birth of the movement in 1863, until the term "Impressionism" was first coined un 1874 - almost haphazardly - in relation to painting by Monet, the author traces the artistic milieu from which the movement emerged and the background to the lives of the painters involved. Then followed the glorious years until 1886, during which eight exhibitions were held to assert the ideas and aims of Impressionism. After this date, the group gradually dispersed; each artist, pursuing his own personal and often solitary research, was driven, as Monet described it, by "the obsession to carry on painting and making progress until the end". The works are grouped by theme and some are accompanied by commentary giving particular insight into these artists who, at end of 19th century, rejected the academic style in favour of a subtle play of light.
This volume will provide both a fascinating account of Impressionism and a souvenir of your visit to the Musée d'Orsay.
