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James McNeill Whistler, Old Battersea Bridge c. 1879, Collection of Mrs. Joan Winchell
James Tissot, Going to Business, c.1879, New Orleans Museum of Art, Gift of Merryl Aron in honor of John Bullard
Theodore Robinson, Giverny c.1889, The Phillips Collection
The Grand Rapids Art Museum presents three exhibitions this fall that focus on cities as an inspiration to artists more than a century ago. The exhibitions, Tissot’s London 1871- 1882: The Art and Culture of City Life, JM Whistler and the Romance of Great Cities and American Impressionism: Paintings from The Phillips Collection are on view through January, 2010. As the Grand Rapids Art Museum enters a new century with a beautiful new building in a revitalized downtown, these exhibitions remind us that the conversation and innovative ideas generated in a cultured city are as relevant today as they were 100 years past.
Tissot’s London 1871 – 1882: The Art and Culture of City Life features James Tissot’s paintings and prints created during his ten years in London. The city’s museums, parks, streets, taverns and residences served as both stage and subject for his scenes of daily life. The exhibition includes major paintings on loan from museums in the United States and Canada and etchings from private collections. Craig Hanson, Assistant Professor of Art History, Calvin College, will introduce the feature film screening of Mrs. Brown starring Dame Judi Dench as Queen Victoria Sunday, November 15 at 2:00 pm.
James McNeill Whistler and the Romance of Great Cities focuses on etchings and lithographs dating from 1859 to 1896 that captured the romance of quiet streets, teeming avenues and grand vistas in the cities of London, Venice and Paris. The exhibition is drawn from the collection of Joan Winchell. Related programming provides insight on Whistler’s innovative and often controversial ideas about art. The film Romantics and Realists: Whistler will be shown Friday, November 13 at 7:00 pm as part of Friday Nights at GRAM and again on Sunday, January 3 at 2:00 pm. The GRAM Theater Group performs Whistler: The Gentle Art of Making Enemies on Friday, November 27 at 7:00 pm. A closing lecture by GRAM Research Curator Cindy Buckner, J.M Whistler and the Art of Printmaking, will be held Sunday, January 10 at 2:00 pm
American Impressionism: Paintings from The Phillips Collection includes paintings featuring the pioneers of American Impressionism including Childe Hassam, Theodore Robinson and John Twachtman. Duncan Phillips was among the early collectors of American Impressionist paintings, acquiring most of the works in this exhibition directly from the artists he had come to know. These artists created a new interpretation of America’s landscape and cities. The film Connecticut: Seasons of Light Cradle of American Impressionism will show Friday, November 20 at 7:00 pm.
Schedule of education programs at a glance (see website for more information):
November 13, 2009: Film, Romantics and Realists: Whistler
November 15, 2009: Mrs. Brown (Madden, 105 min.,1997) Starring Dame Judi Dench as Queen Victoria. Professor Craig Hanson will introduce the film.
November 20, 2009: Film, Connecticut: Seasons of Light Cradle of American Impressionism
November 27, 2009: Whistler: The Gentle Art of Making Enemies, a performance by the GRAM Theater Group
January 3, 2010: Film, Romantics and Realists: Whistler
January 10, 2010: J.M Whistler and the Art of Printmaking a lecture by Cindy Buckner, GRAM Research Curator.
Tissot’s London 1871 – 1882: The Art and Culture of City Life
October 2, 2009 – January 3, 2010
James McNeill Whistler and the Romance of Great Cities
October 2, 2009 – January 10. 2010
American Impressionism: Paintings from The Phillips Collection
October 2, 2009 – January 3, 2010
About the Grand Rapids Art Museum
The mission of the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) is to provide a gathering place where people of all ages and backgrounds can enrich their lives through interaction with works of art in a thought-provoking and creative way. Established in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, the new art museum is internationally known for its distinguished design and LEED Gold certified status. Established in 1910 as the Grand Rapids Art Association, GRAM has grown to include more than 5,000 works of art, including American and European 19th and 20th century painting and sculpture and over 3,000 works on paper. Embracing the city’s legacy as a leading center of design and manufacturing, GRAM has a growing collection in the area of design and modern craft.
For more information contact,
Kerri VanderHoff
Grand Rapids Art Museum
616.831.2914
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