Ticket to the Monet exhibit: $15
Gas to Raleigh to see Monet: $30
Monet exhibit catalog, Monet exhibit poster, postcards, and cube notes: $60
Standing less than 12 inches from Waterlillies: Priceless.
Raleigh was one of only three cities to get this once-in-a-lifetime, dream event, so you better believe this was a big deal. Newspapers all over the Carolinas ran articles, local and state publications such as Our State ran articles, and it was mentioned on local shows such as Our State and NC Weekend . Our local PBS station even gave the exhibit its own hour-long show. The show was expected to draw around 185,000 visitors. More than 214,000 visitors ended up coming to see this remarkable show. And since the tickets were sold out well in advance, I can guarantee you they could have easily surpassed more than a quarter of a million if they had more tickets. The exhibit drew art lovers from all over the US. Thanks to my wonderful husband I was lucky enough to be among the masses that got this rare chance to see something so astounding.
When most Americans think of Normandy, we naturally think of WWII and the tragedy that unfolded at the beaches there, so vividly depicted in the stunning film Saving Private Ryan , directed by Steven Spielberg and starring the very talented Tom Hanks. Before that time and since that time, Normandy is an amazing and vibrant area just outside Paris. Monet’s family moved to the area when he was only 5 years old. Later he would return to Paris to study art and would stay there and work for many years. When he was in his 40s, he moved back to the area (Giverny) with his family, where he would stay through the remainder of his life. He died in 1926 at the age of 86.
Claude Monet is considered the father of impressionism. Most of his paintings centered on landscapes and the outdoors. He used shading and made use of vibrant colors. He was one of the most high-profile artists of his time and more than 100 years later his works still inspire us. More than any other artist, his work is also the most reproduced. Not only in reproduction paintings and prints, but shower curtains, scarves, notebooks, playing cards, post-it notes, and so on. One has to wonder what Monet would think about his art being reproduced in such an odd fashion. Yet then again, he might get a kick out of knowing we are so enamored of his work that we want to snuggle up at night with his artwork blazoned across our comforter. Today more than a half a million people come to Giverny to see the amazing gardens that so inspired Monet (www.giverny.org). Here you can become your own artist with an artist’s canvas or a camera.
Sometime as a young child, (I can’t remember exactly where, but I would imagine in London) I remember going to an art museum. As I saw the works of artists such as Dali and Picasso, I remember being somewhat frightened. After all, noses growing out of the side of a head can be quite scary and confusing to a child. Then I see a Monet. I like the colors and the beauty of the painting. I have been a lifelong admirer of this man's work since then. In fact, a print of Monet's Poppies hangs over our bed. So one can imagine my happiness factor when my wonderful husband asked me if I would like a ticket for Christmas. There was no way I was missing this exhibit.
There are several of Monet’s haystacks paintings here, as well as the Cliffs of Eretat, cathedrals, cliffs at the beach, and of course, his garden. There are 50 paintings that have been assembled for this one-of-a-kind exhibit from private collectors and from some of the finest museums in the world. While I won’t list all 50, I will share my top five.
1. Waterlillies 1914-1917. This sublime painting, which stands around 6 feet tall, is by far my favorite Monet painting. I just admire the beauty, the simplicity, and the rich colors of this work. Amazing while this line of paintings is often what he is known for, he didn’t draw the painting until he was 75!
2. Beach at Trouville. The Normandy area was one of the first areas touted as a tourist destination. Monet painted vacationers along the boardwalk with their parasols and Parisian fashions.
3. The Seine at Giverny, Morning Mists. Monet so beautifully captured with Seine River in this scrumptious painting. It looks as if someone took a picture of the river using a soft filter lens. The colors brilliantly fade together to give you this lovely view of the river.
4. Garden at Sainte-Andresse. What a brilliantly colorful picture. We look out at the sea surrounded by this beautiful garden as a perfectly dressed couple stand as boats pass by while another couple sits back and enjoys the view as mush as we do.
5. Wisteria. I love the subtle shading in the background and the vibrant colors that just make this picture pop. This is just one of the many uses where Monet infuses such brilliant bursts of color while still keeping to his subtle shading he is known for.
There were only three showings of this collection in the states. San Francisco was the first to get it. We had it next in Raleigh. Next up are you nice folks in Cleveland at the Cleveland Art Museum, who get it from February 18 to May 20. You can go to www.clevlandart.org for more information and to order tickets. If you are going in Cleveland here are a few things to keep in mind.
1. Order tickets early. John asked me before Thanksgiving if I would like a ticket and we went ahead and ordered them. By Christmas all tickets were sold out. So decide on your date and order them early. Don’t be left out like many dozens we saw milling around trying to get a ticket.
2. Photography not allowed! Booo! But understandable.
3. It will be crowded and this will not be to the place to take in Waterlilles in all of its forms. Basically if you stayed in one spot for too long you were just herded on to the next painting.
4. Check with the museum about strollers. When I was here in Raleigh, large strollers were not permitted.
5. Bring your credit card. There is a massive gift shop devoted entirely to all things Monet. Not only do they have exhibit catalogs ($30 soft cover, $45 hardcover) but cube notes, exhibit posters, journals, scarves, T-shirts, magnets, soaps, and, well, you get the picture.
For more information on this unique exhibit, please go to www.monetinnormandy.org.
Very highly recommended.