Gallery’s exhibition to make a historic impression

THE works of some of the world’s most famous impressionist artists are coming to the walls of Geelong Gallery in what is being touted as the most ambitious international showcase in the gallery’s history.

Opening on 20 June, Discovering the Impressionists: Paul Durand-Ruel, art dealer amonc g the artists will be spread across five galleries and present more than 70 paintings from across two generations of impressionist artists, the majority from private collections in France and never before seen in Australia.

It showcases the remarkable legacy of an art dealer who staked everything on a movement the establishment refused to accept.

Throughout the gallery, works by Monet, Renoir, Berthe Morisot, and Camille Pissarro will hang alongside a second generation of painters long overshadowed by their predecessors: Albert André, Georges d’Espagnat, Gustave Loiseau, Maxime Maufra and Henry Moret.

Championed by Durand-Ruel in impressionism’s twilight years, these artists are now being rediscovered.

Among the highlights are rare decorative panels by André and d’Espagnat – painted for the doors of Durand-Ruel’s private Paris apartment – and a partial recreation of the drawing room in which he received esteemed collectors and displayed the finest works from his collection.

Durand-Ruel (1831-1922) was not himself a painter, but an art dealer of uncommon conviction who, at a time when Monet, Renoir, Pissarro and their peers were ridiculed and commercially shunned, bought their work, nurtured their cause and ultimately transformed public taste across Europe and America.

Over a lifetime devoted to art, he purchased and promoted more than 12,000 paintings to ensure impressionism became known and loved around the world.

“This gallery was built on impressionism,” Geelong gallery director and chief executive, Humphrey Clegg, said.

“Our very first acquisition, Frederick McCubbin’s A Bush Burial in 1900, was an Australian impressionist work, and the movement has shaped our collection ever since. For our 130th year we wanted to do something worthy of that legacy – and Discovering the Impressionists is exactly that. It is the most ambitious exhibition in our history, and one I believe will genuinely surprise Australian audiences.”

City of Greater Geelong major events committee chair Cr Andrew Katos said the city’s support for the exhibition underscored its commitment to bringing major cultural events to the region.

“It’s amazing for our community to host exhibitions of this calibre that also attract visitors, boost local business and reinforce Geelong’s standing as a vibrant creative hub.”

Discovering the Impressionists: Paul Durand-Ruel, art dealer among the artists will run from 20 June to 11 October.

Tickets are on sale now.

For more information, head to geelonggallery.org.au