Exhibition on Screen: Dawn of Impressionism: Paris 1874

The Impressionists are the most popular group in art history—every year millions flock to museums to marvel at their masterpieces. But that wasn’t always the case. In their early days, Impressionists were scorned, penniless outsiders. Then, 1874 was the year that changed everything. The first Impressionists, “hungry for independence,” broke the mold by holding their own exhibition outside official channels. Impressionism was born and the art world was changed forever. 
  
What led to that first groundbreaking show 150 years ago? Who were the maverick personalities that wielded their brushes in such a radical and provocative way? The spectacular Musée d’Orsay exhibition brings fresh eyes to this extraordinary tale of passion and rebellion. The story is told not only by historians and curators, but in the words of those who witnessed the dawn of Impressionism: the artists, press and people of Paris, 1874. 
 
The exhibition, and this film, reexamines the moment in history which changed the course of art thanks to pioneering artists such as Claude Monet and Paul Cézanne. It also highlights the crucial contributions of women artists to the Impressionist movement, showcasing celebrated works by Mary Cassatt and Berthe Morisot. Dawn of Impressionism is the perfect cinematic accompaniment to the exhibition Mary Cassatt at Work, on view June 21 to October 12.   
 
Made in close collaboration with the Musée d’Orsay and the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.