What happened in Paris on April 15, 1874?
This is what the Musée d'Orsay invites you to explore through two exhibitions on Impressionism until August 11, 2024.
If you live in the Paris region or plan to visit Paris, don't miss this unique opportunity to enjoy an enriching cultural experience.
What is impressionism?
Impressionism emerged during the second half of the 19th century in France, revolutionizing the artistic conventions of the time. Impressionist painters broke from rigid academic norms to capture the immediacy of everyday life and landscapes, favoring natural light, vivid colors, and expressive brushstrokes.
Key Characteristics of Impressionism:
Drawing, painting and even watercolor are the favorite mediums of these artists.
The Impressionists paid particular attention to the way natural light transforms colors and shapes.
Rather than smoothing brushstrokes, the Impressionists used visible, spontaneous brushstrokes to create a sense of movement and life in their works.
Scenes of everyday life, such as gardens, rivers, cafes and busy streets, were popular subjects among Impressionist artists. They sought to capture the fleeting essence of these fleeting moments.
Paris on April 15, 1874 or the revelation of the masters of Impressionism:
150 years ago, on April 15, 1874, the first Impressionist exhibition opened in Paris. “Hungry for independence”, Monet, Renoir, Degas, Morisot, Pissarro, Sisley and even Cézanne decided to free themselves from the rules by organizing their own exhibition, outside official channels: impressionism was born. To celebrate this anniversary, the Musée d'Orsay is offering some 130 works, and takes a fresh look at this key date, considered the kick-off of the avant-gardes.
Exhibitions not to be missed in Paris this month:
Claude Monet (1840-1926), Print, Rising Sun, 1872
Paris, Musée Marmottan Monet, Don Eugène and Victorine Donop de Monchy (donors)
© Marmottan Monet museum, Paris / Studio Baraja SLB
Paris 1874
Inventing impressionism
A selection of works that appeared at the Impressionist exhibition of 1874 is put into perspective with paintings and sculptures shown at the same time at the Official Salon. This unprecedented confrontation allows us to recreate the visual shock of the works then exhibited by the Impressionists, but also to nuance it, through unexpected parallels and overlaps between the first Impressionist exhibition and the Salon.
Reservations strongly recommended.
Genres: Impressionism, Painting, History of Paris
Location: Musée d’Orsay, Paris 7th
Start date: March 26, 2024
End date: July 14, 2024
Prices: Entrance €16, reduced price €13, late night €12, under 18s, under 26s EU, 1st Sunday of the month free.
Programming : Every day (except Monday, May 1, December 25) 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m., late night Thursday until 9:45 p.m.; Cash registers close 45 minutes before
Closures: closed Monday, May 1, December 25
Website : www.musee-orsay.fr
© Excurio - GEDEON Experiences - Musée d'Orsay
Immersive experience
An evening with the impressionists
Immersive virtual reality expedition
Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the very first impressionist exhibition recreated using virtual reality. Explore the beginnings of the movement, from the Parisian salons to the studio of Frédéric Bazille, to the inspiring encounters between Monet and Renoir. An immersive experience to understand the links between artists and the revolutionary essence of Impressionism.
The experience is recommended from 11 years old and inaccessible for children under 8 years old.
Reservations strongly recommended.
Genres: Impressionism, Painting, History of Paris
Location: Musée d’Orsay, Paris 7th
Start date: March 26, 2024
End date: August 11, 2024
Prices: Entrance €32, reduced price €16.
Program : Musée d’Orsay level 0 – Duration: approx. 1 hour including 45 minutes of virtual reality.
Every day (except Monday, May 1, December 25) 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m., late night Thursday until 9:45 p.m.; Cash registers close 45 minutes before
Languages available : English, French
Closures: closed Monday, May 1, December 25
Website : www.musee-orsay.fr
We wish you a great experience!
The Art Homy team