SNEAK PEEK: Impressionism: Pathways to Modernity is now open to the public until 5th February 2023
Displaying more than 150 artworks from Musée d’Orsay, prestigious French Museums and Louvre Abu Dhabi, the museum's first international exhibition of the season is the most comprehensive Impressionist showcase ever.
The exhibition features more than 100 paintings, 40 drawings and prints, 20 photographs and five dresses from the era, as well as a contemporary video installation by the French renowned artist Ange Leccia. Highlights include a selection of artworks from Louvre Abu Dhabi’s collection including two paintings by Edouard Manet, The Bohemian, 1861-1862, and Still Life with Bag and Garlic, 1861-1862, Alfred Sisley’s The Road to Verrières, 1872, and Gustave Caillebotte’s The Bezique Game, 1881. Highlights from Musée d’Orsay collection include The Balcony by Edouard Manet, 1898-1869, The Magpie by Claude Monet, 1868-1869, The Floor Scrapers, 1875 by Gustave Caillebotte, The Racecourse. Amateur Jockeys Near a Car by Edgar Degas, 1876-1887, and Woman with a Coffee Pot by Paul Cézanne, 1890-1895. The Cup of Chocolate by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, 1877 – 1878, a new acquisition by Louvre Abu Dhabi, will be unveiled for the first time in this exhibition.
The exhibition is mainly drawn from the Musée d’Orsay Impressionist collections, which are the finest in the world. Musée d'Orsay is lending these exceptional pieces for the first time in the region to celebrate the 5th anniversary of Louvre Abu Dhabi. Artworks from Louvre Abu Dhabi’s permanent collection and from the collections of prominent French institutions such as Bibliothèque nationale de France, Musée des Arts décoratifs, and Musée du Louvre will also feature.
A rich cultural programme will be available to the public, including a curatorial talk on Impressionism, film screenings under the iconic Louvre Abu Dhabi dome, and a contemporary dance performance and masterclass by Sima Dance, inspired by the exhibition. Visitors can also enjoy the second edition of “Living Art”, bringing ballerinas from Edgar Degas’ painting Ballet Rehearsal on Stage to life along with a piano recital inspired by the Impressionist movement.
A range of educational activities will be available for adults, schools, families and youth, including an Express Tour of the exhibition; an oil painting masterclass led by Emirati artist Saggaf Alhashmi; Make and Play activities where children can learn different kinds of painting techniques inspired by nature and the outdoors; and a Young Visitor’s Guide, offering young ones the opportunity to learn about the pioneering Impressionist artists.
For more information about the exhibition, and to book tickets, please visit louvreabudhabi.ae or call Louvre Abu Dhabi at +971 600 56 55 66. Entrance to the exhibition is free with general museum admission tickets. Admission to the museum is free for children under the age of 18.