An Orientation on American Modernism A Review of the Czanne Exhibit in Baltimore Museum of the Arts

One of the most significant artists that had transformed art in America is Paul Czanne, a French painter recognized as a genius in the world of painting and dubbed as the Father of Modern Arts. His contributions to Modernism had been profound especially to the artists of the early 20th century. A revisit on Czannes works would reveal how his talent and creative works have touched several artists and have produced a prominent technique that is famed internationally. This French artist has inspired several artists who personally took the initiative of introducing Czanne to the world and giving him the appropriate recognition he deserved.

Featured in the Baltimore Museum of the Arts (BMA) is the traveling exhibition of Czanne and American Modernism. The current exhibit displays some of the most amazing works of Czanne and offers visitors of the museum a very interesting tour on the developments of American modern art.

This is the first exhibit specifically attributed for the French artist. BMA already owns two of Czannes most impressive works but the traveling exhibition includes other works from different museums and private collections throughout the land. All in all, the exhibit features 16 of his works, among this is his painting entitled Self-Portrait with Beret and other significant archival materials that document the success of Czannes career as an artist.

Along with Czannes works, the exhibit also showcases the works of more than 30 American artists that were intensely inspired by the French master. Some of the names of artists whose works are part of the exhibition include Max Weber, Man Ray, Maurice Prendergast, and Arshile Gorky. More than 80 oil paintings, photographs, and watercolors are part of the traveling exhibit. While viewing each work available in the exhibition, one could assess that these art pieces symbolize how Czanne had inspired artists of different backgrounds to experiment and try modern techniques or undertake new ways if abstraction.

Czannes works are mostly about landscapes, bathers, profiles, and still life. It can be observed from the artworks that some of his best inspirations are the tranquil landscapes of French countryside. And since the exhibit highlights the great impact that Czanne has on American modern art, several comparisons are observable from the collection of works present in the gallery. Every artist that is part of the exhibit had their on distinct interpretation of Czannes style and technique. Like the French masters works, most of these artists paintings featured people bathing, landscapes, and still life creations. Although, it can be observed from the exhibit that these featured artists have also infused their own version of American Modernism. In some of the artists works, most Czannes original effect is already almost lost in the whole interpretation.

All the same, the collection of oil paintings, watercolors, and photographs on the exhibit are surreal and very unique. Also, knowing that these masterpieces have inspired a number of artists makes them more appealing and interesting to observe. With the variety of masterpieces carefully organized in the museum, the whole exhibit could make the visitors feel that Czanne transformative and inspiring art are really powerful visionary pieces that are important to the whole history of American modern art and the idea of modernism of art around the world.

BMAs special exhibition was really effective in depicting how Czanne introduced European Modernism to the American artists. Visitors of the museum are most likely to enjoy the quality of works that are compiled together in the exhibit plus the relevant information and realities they offer to people. The entire exhibit features some of the best works Czanne plus almost three decades of artwork released after his death that documents how much he had influenced American arts.

The exhibit clearly presented how American modern art was inspired immensely by the French masters works. It also made a mark in describing the personal profile and artistic contributions of Czanne in the world of art. More than comparing the resemblances between Czanne and those artists he had influenced, the exhibit aims for its audience to understand the development and molding of American Modernism and the redefinition of post-impressionist beauty.

The whole exhibit could make visitors of BMA feel the raw talent and visions for the future of art and what potential American modernism has for contemporary artists. Maybe the location or the arrangements of the artworks are also significant to the atmosphere and ambiance that the exhibit encourages. As a whole, the Czanne and American Modernism exhibit follows the layout that effectively presents the remarkable impact of the French master to the art of America, particularly in the western areas.

Compiling a number of Czannes works and the art pieces done by artists that were inspired by him is a difficult but immensely insightful plan. It was really a good thing that the exhibit successfully came to be. The whole exhibit was co-organized by the Montclair Art Museum and BMA and could be viewed in Baltimore from February 14 to May 23, 2010. Some people might feel that one downside of the exhibit would probably that there are too many works displayed. Aside from the 16 masterpieces of Czanne, the exhibit features more than 30 artists and there are a few artists that were overly represented. This is a disadvantage for some because, at some point, the paintings of the other artists tend to overcrowd the masters original works. But the organizers of the traveling exhibit have appropriately arranged the other artists works according to how they can be suitably compared to the masterpieces of Czanne.

People can learn many insightful and important things when visiting an art museum and BMA offers free of charge for their other exhibits. But this traveling exhibition is special event so an admission charge for the tickets was required. Despite the cost, the exhibit is still accessible to people and remains highly endearing because it includes complimentary audio tours for both adults and kids. People who will visit the exhibit will not be disappointed not only because the exhibit is both aesthetically pleasing, but also because it is intellectually stimulating especially in highlighting the role played by Czanne in the field of art.

Through his art, Czanne influenced the styles, themes, and artistic possibilities of American Modernism. Art is constantly evolving and with its growth also comes the introduction and integration of cultures from one continent to another.  Featuring Czanne and American Modernism in the BMA is really great because these collections of art works are worth seeing and should be indulged into. Despite the critically large amount of works by other artists present in the gallery, the exhibit depict the development of modern art and influences of the great artist Czanne in the most interesting and easy to appreciate way. A visit to this traveling exhibition is really worth it.

0 comments:

Post a Comment