Impressions: Nottingham’s collection meets four masterpieces from the Clark Art Institute, USA, opens on Saturday 23 November 2024.
Artists Claude Monet (1840-1926), Camille Pissarro (1830-1903), Auguste Renoir (1841-1919) and Alfred Sisley (1839-1899) helped to define the artistic movement known as Impressionism. Their work forms the core of this exhibition, thanks to four paintings on loan to Nottingham Castle from The Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts, USA. They are joined by treasures from Nottingham’s own collection, chosen in response to themes and details drawn from each painting, celebrating art and artefacts, some of which were inspired by the Impressionist movement here in our own city.
The Impressionists’ use of expressive, luminous brushstrokes captured the immediacy of a moment as they saw and experienced it. Their approach to working outdoors in rapidly changing light and atmosphere, and their observation of modern life, offered a new way of painting in France in the latter half of the 19th century.
Reactions to the Impressionists were mixed: some paintings were met with derision and hostility. However, from this radical beginning, Impressionism became one of the most beloved and famous movements in the history of art.
Impressions is an opportunity to look in detail at paintings by four of the founders of Impressionism. Spanning a period from 1870 to 1900, they capture the essence of Impressionist ideas, as the movement evolved.
They have also inspired the team at Nottingham City Museums and Galleries to form their own impressions, taking themes and ideas from each painting to inspire a selection of art, textiles and objects from Nottingham’s wide-ranging collections. They invite you to explore the work of British artists experimenting with light and shade, indoors and outside; spring flowers; the art of letter-writing – and Renoir’s love of hats!
Nottingham City Council’s Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Carbon Reduction, Cllr Sam Lux said: “I am thrilled that our Nottingham City Museum team have been working with the Clark Art Institute, USA, to showcase key artworks from four significant Impressionist artists, in the form of the new temporary exhibition ‘Impressions’ at Nottingham Castle.
“This exhibition, hosted at Nottingham Castle, will celebrate one of the most beloved and famous movements in the history of art, and I am looking forward to see how visitors experience it from near and far.
The exhibition continues until 27 April 2025.
This exhibition is included in the standard ticket price: Adult: £15, Kids Go Free (15 years & under, up to 3 children per paid adult ticket) – Remember: Pay Once, Visit All Year Round with the Nottingham Castle Annual Pass.
For details please visit our website: www.nottinghamcastle.org.uk and the ‘Impressions’ exhibition page: www.nottinghamcastle.org.uk/impressions