150 years ago, on April 15, 1874, the first Impressionist exhibition was inaugurated in Paris. In an act of rebellion and independence, artists like Monet, Renoir, Degas, Morisot, Pissarro, Sisley, and Cézanne decided to break away from established norms and organize their own show, independent of official channels. Thus, Impressionism was born—a movement that would revolutionize the history of art.
To commemorate this anniversary, the Musée d’Orsay presents a monumental exhibition that brings together around 130 works. This exhibition offers a fresh perspective on the pivotal year of 1874, considered the starting point of artistic avant-gardes. What exactly happened in the spring of 1874 in Paris? How can we interpret today an exhibition that has become legendary?
“Paris 1874: L’instant impressionniste” immerses us in the origins of an artistic movement that emerged in a rapidly changing world. It examines the circumstances that led these 31 artists, of whom only seven enjoy universal fame today, to come together and exhibit their works jointly. Against the backdrop of post-war France following the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 and a violent civil war, these artists redefined their art and sought new directions.
This small clan of rebels painted scenes of modern life and landscapes in light tones, with perfectly executed brushstrokes, often sketched outdoors. As an observer of the time noted, “what they seem to seek above all is the impression.” The exhibition “Paris 1874” juxtaposes a selection of works from the 1874 Impressionist exhibition with paintings and sculptures exhibited simultaneously at the official Salon. This unprecedented confrontation recreates the visual impact of the works displayed by the Impressionists at that moment and provides unexpected parallels and comparisons between the first Impressionist exhibition and the Salon.
The Musée d’Orsay unveils the contradictions and infinite richness of contemporary creation in this spring of 1874, while highlighting the radical modernity of these young artists’ work. As one critic encouraged these innovators, “Good luck! Innovations always lead to something.”
The organization of this exhibition is a collaboration between the Musée d’Orsay, the Musée de l’Orangerie, and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. The exhibition will be presented at the National Gallery of Art in Washington from September 8, 2024, to January 20, 2025.