"Toulouse-Lautrec and the Post-Impressionists exhibit at the Arlington Art Museum.

TOULOUSE-LAUTREC AND THE
POST-IMPRESSIONISTS

The Travelling Toe and a friend recently visited the Arlington Art Museum's new exhibit focused on Post-Impressionist artists.

Welcome sign to exhibit

Post-Impressionism is an art movement that was recognized from about 1886-1905.  As the museum's brochure explains:

       Claiming its origins in the turn-of -the century Paris, Post-Impressionism is an artistic              style that developed out of, or as a reactive rejection to the globally popular                               impressionism, which was primarily based on the objective depiction of nature in terms          of the mutable effects of color and light.  The Post-Impressionists refused to adhere to              this constrictive approach in favor of a more ambitious expression, yet remaining true to          the pure, brilliant color of Impressionism, it's freedom from traditional subject matter and       its technique of defining form with short brushstrokes of broken color.

Before we began to tour all the stunning works of art on view, we paused long enough to watch a video detailing the artist society of Paris at the end of the 19th Century.  France had lost a hard war with German forces in the Franco-Prussian War, and Paris was in rubbles.  However the Montmartre section was full of artists, authors, rabble-rousers, working folks and others. This was due in part to the cheap rent and to partake of the rich Paris lifestyle.  The video also talked about how the artists saw commercial posters as a way to get their art seen.  .

Paris - Montmartre

Henri Toulouse-Lautrec was an interesting man.  Due to his parents intermarriage (they were first-cousins), he was born with short legs and body.  He stopped growing at age 14.  Henri turned to sketching and at 18 moved to Paris to study painting.  Thought he came from a wealthy and privileged family, Henri eventually divorced himself from that lifestyle and identified more with actors, actresses, circus performers, prostitutes and others on the margin of society. He and Vincent Van Gogh were great friends.  Henri lived a wild life and eventually the late nights and drinking caught up with him and his family had him committed to an asylum in 1899.   Henri died at the age of just 36 in 1901.

POST-IMPRESSIONISTS

The majority of the work on display is on the main gallery but there are also a few paintings upstairs on the second floor.  There are many interesting works of art to enjoy.   If you have ever seen one of Henri's posters you will immediately know his work.  Another interesting artist featured was Henri Riviere.  Do take the time to see his art work on display including the "shadow theater' forms he invented.

This exhibit leaves Aug 16th, so go see it before it leaves and do take the time to watch the video, which is about 30 minutes long.  You can see it before or even after viewing the art work as the movie explains so much of what was happening in Paris at that time and how it influenced the Post-Impressionist artists.

The Travelling Toe's opinion is that this is one of the best exhibits that the museum has ever had.

Arlington Art Museum