Summer with the Impressionists

Painting spontaneously out-of-doors and ‘on the spot’ rather than in a studio from sketches, the Impressionists captured landscapes and scenes of everyday life. Today they are some of the most beloved artists of all time: Mary Cassatt, Paul Cézanne, Edgar Degas, Édouard Manet, Henri Matisse, Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and many others. In this spectacular showcase that’s inspiring for all ages, two exhibitions come together to mark Manitoba’s first major display of French Impressionist paintings, drawings, and sculptures.

French Moderns: Monet to Matisse, 1850-1950 features more than 60 pieces from the Brooklyn Museum, New York’s renowned collection of European art with a selection of works from the WAG collection. Ranging widely in scale, subject matter, and style, these paintings and sculptures were produced by leadings artists of the avant-garde movements that defined modern art in the 19th and 20th centuries, including Impressionism and much more.

A second exhibition, The Impressionists on Paper, brings to Winnipeg over 20 artworks from the National Gallery of Canada’s eminent collection of Impressionist art, including watercolours, pastels, drawings, and prints. The Impressionists on Paper charts three decades, beginning in the 1870s, the decade of the first Impressionist exhibitions in Paris. See landscapes, portraits, and contemporary scenes by these diverse artists, offering a glimpse into one of the most exhilarating moments in the history of art.

Within the galleries, find the Café des Artistes, a family-friendly, interactive sketching space. Have fun with props, books, and more hands-on activities!