ALBAWABA - The Orsay Museum in Paris is commemorating the 150th anniversary of Impressionism with a special exhibition that brings together the iconic masterpieces from the movement's early years and Virtual Reality.
Titled "Paris 1874: Inventing Impressionism", the exhibit offers visitors a virtual reality experience that can take someone back to the revolutionary art scene of the 19th century. Through the use of virtual reality technology, guests can immerse themselves in the streets, salons, and picturesque locations that played a big role in the birth of Impressionism.
On April 15, 1874, renowned artists like Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, and Paul Cezanne rebelled against the traditional art establishment by doing their independent exhibition, which later became known as the starting point of the Impressionist movement.
(Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA / AFP)
The museum has gathered a collection of 160 paintings from that significant year, showing acclaimed works such as Monet's "Impression, Sunrise" and "Boulevard des Capucines", as well as Degas's ballet scenes and Pissaro's countryside landscapes.
The exhibition hopes to capture the essence of modern life through vibrant brushstrokes that reflect the era's post-war spirit and societal changes.
Co-curator Sylvie Patry spoke about the Impressionists' desire to capture the evolving world around them, focusing on contemporary themes like railways, entertainment, and tourism.
(Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA / AFP)
Featuring loans from institutions like the National Gallery in Washington, the exhibit marks a rare opportunity to see many of these iconic paintings displayed together for the first time in 150 years.
Through a nuanced exploration of the Impressionists' rejection of traditional artistic norms and their impact on subsequent generations of painters, the exhibition sheds light on the movement's enduring legacy.
As the Orsay Museum's exhibition continues until July 14 before traveling to Washington in September, visitors can also enjoy the virtual reality experience until the end of the Paris Olympics on August 11, offering a look into the world of Impressionist art.
