The Picardie Museum, known for not having any impressionist works in its collections, is currently showcasing a rare Manet painting that has drawn crowds to the museum. The painting, titled “On the beach,” is typically housed at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris but is on loan to the Picardie Museum until June 16 as part of the exhibition called “On the impressionist beach – In the eye of Édouard Manet.”
Painted in 1873 in Berck-sur-Mer on the Opal Coast, the canvas depicts the wife and brother of Edouard Manet. The museum compares this piece to other works in its collection, highlighting the revolutionary and modern character of Impressionism that the painting embodies. The director of the Musée de Picardie, Pierre Stépanoff, describes this comparison as a way to showcase the essence of Impressionism in contrast to earlier artistic movements.
In conjunction with this unique loan, the Amiens museum is hosting various events, workshops, and conferences centered around the Manet painting and the broader Impressionist movement. According to Paul Perrin, director of conservation and collections at the Musée d’Orsay, Impressionism is one of the most popular art movements in history.
Furthermore, the Musée d’Orsay has loaned a total of 178 works by renowned Impressionist artists such as Monet, Renoir, Pissarro, Sisley, and Cézanne to various museums across France, aiming to make these exceptional pieces accessible to a wider audience.
In celebration of the 150th anniversary of the first Impressionist exhibition in April 1874, the Musée d’Orsay is also presenting a special exhibition featuring around 130 works from the early days of the movement.
Visitors can experience the exhibition “On the impressionist beach – In the eye of Édouard Manet” at the Musée de Picardie until June 16, 2024. For more information, including opening hours and contact details, visit the museum’s website.
