Monet in Normandy at the NCMA
By Barbara Petty
Unless you have been out of the country, you have probably heard about the newest exhibit at the North Carolina Museum of Art. Monet in Normandy features 50 works impressionist master Claude Monet painted in the French province of Normandy. The show is sure to be a huge draw for the Museum and for the entire Triangle being that Raleigh is the only East Coast city -- and only one of three cities in the U.S. -- to be hosting this show. The other two locations are Cleveland and San Francisco.
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Claude Monet, The Cliff, Etretat, Sunset, 1883, oil on canvas, 21 3/4” X 31 3/4”, North Carolina Museum of Art. Purchased with funds from the State of North Carolina.
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It’s difficult to fathom the magnitude and importance of this particular collection. Curator David Steel has been working on this show for nearly six years. Much of the show has been borrowed from public and private collections all over the world and it has taken this long to coordinate the availability of the art. Because Monet is probably one of the most beloved impressionists, many museums do not want to let go of their priceless works for such a long time (the exhibit will be on tour for close to a year). But with Mr. Steel’s power of gentle persuasion and museum director Larry Wheeler’s circle of influence, the NCMA was able to work with two other prestigious museums, The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, and the Cleveland Museum of Art to coordinate the event.
This show is also important because it is the first exhibition to take a comprehensive look at Monet’s paintings of one particular area – Normandy. The Normandy region of France combines a 360-mile dramatic coastline, with a verdant interior of lush farmland, bustling market towns, and historic landmarks such as the cities of Caen, Bayeux, and Rouen. This is where Monet spent most of his life and the collection shows images of the coast, the countryside, the city of Rouen, and Giverny.
The exhibit spans the bulk of Monet’s career, and the way the paintings are displayed takes full advantage of that. Mr. Steel has grouped various themes together so that the viewer may experience Monet’s work at different times in his life. For example, the Water Lilies grouping demonstrates how Monet’s paintings over time become even more free and expressive. In his later years, the artist is less concerned with the subject, and focused more on movement, color, and of course, the ever-present light. Another grouping, The Cliff at Etretat series examines the same subject from different perspectives, different times of day, and different seasons.
It is almost frivolous to say that impressionist paintings must be viewed in person to fully appreciate the brush strokes, the luminosity, and the daring exploration of a “new way of seeing”. It is especially true for Monet’s paintings. Further, one must take the time to view each painting up close as well as far away, for the subject takes on altogether different forms when viewed at varying distances.
I could go on, just suffice it to say that this is a must see show. But go early, the holidays will be incredibly crowded. A companion catalog is available in the Museum gift shop and will make a wonderful gift.
The North Carolina Museum of Art is located at 2110 Blue Ridge Road in Raleigh. For museum hours call 919.839.6262 or online at www.ncartmuseum.org
Related Programs
In conjunction with the Monet in Normandy show, the Museum is presenting a focus exhibition called Revolution in Paint. This gallery examines the paint and painting techniques of Monet and the French Impressionists. Of significance to the artists of that time was the development of new pigments and tube paints that allowed the artist to paint outside of his studio.
The Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitor’s Bureau is partnering with the Museum to unveil Monet-themed visitor packages. Boom! will take you on a “Everything French in the Triangle” journey next month. For more information, you can visit the CVB’s Web site at www.visitraleigh.com
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