In the late 1800’s, the impressionist movement was in full flower in France, and American painters were drawn to its light. The influence French painters had on visiting American artists was something these painters would take back to the states, and in turn it would change the face of American art. Cassat, Whistler, Robinson, Breck, Sargent, and many more: they all moved in the impressionists’ circles, absorbing their new techniques in Paris or at Monet’s Givervny estate. Female artists here in particular felt unleashed from the bonds of both American and French society, free to experiment.
Fast forward from old century to new, and American artists are still making the pilgrimage to France, to paint in that beautiful French light. Which, though I'm not an artist, I know all about—there IS a special, gentle quality to the light here, and a certain soft shade of blue sky and white cloud that intriques and soothes. Painting, above: "Mur" by Rhett Thurman.
So what better subject for an art show in Paris, than to bring together American painters of our time, painting in France?
My friend Rhett Thurman is a South Carolina girl and a favorite artist of mine in Charleston. She has a way of taking the traditional and making it beautiful and fresh. Rhett is one of ten artists who has been invited to join the show, “Paris Welcomes American Artists”. All of the artists in the show have painted in France and their work has been influenced by France. Painting, right: "Courtyard, St. Remy", by Rhett Thurman.
If you happen to be lucky enough to be headed to Paris, next month, you can catch the show, all the details are here. If not, you can virtually visit the ten artists and their work here.
And to be dazzled by Rhett Thurman’s lovely paintings of Charleston and of her travels, visit this gallery.
Felicitations, Rhett!
Favorite Reads: To learn more about 19th century American artists in Paris, here’s are two book to try: Americans in Paris 1860-1900 (National Gallery London)
And if you haven't read Micheala Rodeno's great new book on wine, women, and leadership, From Bubbles to Boardrooms: Act 1: Startups Are Such Fun (or even if you have), you might want to go over to my author interview with her this week at The Daily Basics.
In the COMMENTS: Thanks, y'all, for the nice comments about my book, and especially for the ideas for the next one! Keith, nice to hear from you and I hadn't heard that ghost story of the château, but I have some of my own!
Do check out our reader Jo Anne's books, Falling in Love with France
and My Trip Around the Hexagon: Meandering In France
Other news: Y'all know I'm a fan of Ultralingua dictionaries, and I'm thrilled that they're featuring an article I wrote this week, on using dictionary apps for language studies. You can read it at the Ultralingua blog.
11 thoughts on “An American Artist Takes on Paris”
Love this post Lynn. Fabulous pictures and making me think that I need to go to Paris
Lynn: Thanks for sharing these paintings. They are BEAUTIFUL.
On a related note, have you by chance read the book “Strapless”, by Deborah Davis? It is a biography of the famous painting by JS Sargent, of Madame X. It give a glimpse of another time, of the artist, the sitter, the dress, the pose, the whole crepe, as it were! I loved it, and so will you and your legions of readers, I’m sure. It was heralded as the first biography of a painting when it came out, and got a lot of buzz.
How I wish I could be in Paris for this exhibition…anyone who would like to fund a little old lady is welcome to contact me!!
I’m thinking of starting to buy lottery tickets, but as my ex always says, “Your chances of winning are about the same whether you buy a ticket or not!”, which seems accurate, huh?
The blend of colors and the shadowing in the courtyard painting are
very pleasing to the eye. The two puddles suggest a recent shower and, now, time for quiet reflection.
Lynn, thanks for the blog kudos.
Lynn,
Thanks for mentioning Jo Anne Marquardt’s books–especially the second and newest one, My Trip Around the Hexagon: Meandering in France, which sits to my left as I write this comment. Her sketches and accompanying information are charming–as is her art from France, including her own paintings on the covers of her book and much more.
Chris
You are so right about the light! There is a big difference between the light in Venice and that of Rome, for example. As a painter I find it very important. I wish someone would organize a show for American painters in Italy!!!! I’ love to see the one in Paris.
Interesting difference between American and French artists’ sensibility of that lovely light in the south of France. (Lynn: you look great in orange/pink.)
Your Ultralingua blogpost has removed my penultimate excuse for not learning Italian (the preceding blockage was destroyed by Used Brain). All I have to do is finish Act II of Bubbles to Boardrooms, due for publication in October, and the serious language studies begin!
Thanks for the Daily Basics interview, which I hope young women (and men) starting or developing business careers will find encouraging. I couldn’t make your link work, so just in case here’s the url:
http://thedailybasics.com/?s=lynn+mcbride
Rhett’s work is lovely Lynn. How wonderful & inspirational to be painting in France. It’s true, it’s all about the light! I shall take a look at the rest of your recommended readings. Lovely post.
What a great exposition theme – I love Impressionism and Paris!
Lynn, I always enjoy reading your blog, but this time, with all the news about the American artists in Paris, well, what can I say!! Thank you! I’m working to get over close to Paris, and it COULD be that I could go! And I’ve loved looking at the work of Rhett Thurman – so much light.
Lynn, this is just (another!) wonderful post!Have always loved the Impressionists and now these artists as well; especially appreciate the privilege to see and enjoy their work.
Thank you!
May I recommend a book about the American artist Richard E. Miller, who painted in Giverny and Paris in the late years of Impressionism. The author, Marie-Louise Kleykamp is the reigning expert on Miller’s work and life, both amply covered in the book: http://www.amazon.com/Bright-Oasis-Paintings-Richard-Miller/dp/B0006QOL0S. (Full disclosure, I am married to M-L Kleykamp, also known as Loulou).