The exhibition, titled "Meet Impressionism: Monet, Renoir, and Norman Masters' Authentic Works Exhibition," is organized by CHINA CULTURAL INTERNATIONAL TOURS INC and Beijing Zhongchuang Culture and Tourism Industry Group, with the cooperation of Normandie en Peindre Association and the Musée des Augustins de Toulouse. Meet You Museum is the hosting venue, and the exhibition runs from July 6th to October 7th, 2023. It features a collection of 54 paintings by 34 European and American artists, including renowned Impressionists such as Monet, Renoir, and Delacroix, showcasing the golden age of Western painting in the 19th century.
Prior to this exhibition, Meet You Museum, in collaboration with Normandie en Peindre Association and the Musée des Augustins de Toulouse in France, held the "Meet Impressionism" series of exhibitions in Shanghai and Chengdu, receiving extensive attention and acclaim. This exhibition marks the first time the authentic works of Impressionism are displayed in Nanjing.
At the event, Wang Chunchen, a professor at the Central Academy of Fine Arts and the director of Meet You Museum, expressed that Nanjing was chosen as the location for Meet You Museum's branch because it’s an ancient city with a rich cultural and artistic atmosphere. Bringing an Impressionist art exhibition to Nanjing for the first time, he hoped that the people of Nanjing would have the opportunity to witness the painting genre that reflects the entire modernist process of France.
Alain TAPIÉ, the curator of the exhibition and founding president of Normandie en Peindre Association, mentioned in his speech that the collection from Normandie en Peindre Association and the Musée des Augustins de Toulouse contains works of Norman Impressionism spanning nearly a century. These works have been exhibited in several European countries and were also showcased in China in recent years. For this exhibition, a carefully selected batch of works, distinguished by their color and technique, has been brought to Nanjing by Meet You Museum. Alain TAPIÉ also expressed his appreciation for the exhibition's layout design and thanked Meet You Museum for its efforts in making the exhibition possible.
The conversation at the event revolved around themes such as understanding Western Impressionist art, cultural and artistic cooperation between China and France, and the stories behind the exhibition. Wang Chunchen shared the development history of Western Impressionism, emphasizing that the essence of Impressionism lies in painting nature and the light beyond, highlighting the emotional expression of artists. Regarding cultural and artistic exchanges between China and France, Wang Chunchen stressed the importance of importing what China lacks and exporting what it possesses, promoting high-quality
exhibitions in various cities within China, and making art exhibitions a way of life for more people.
Alain TAPIÉ, the curator of the exhibition, mentioned that organizing an exhibition is not merely about hanging paintings on walls but requires a profound understanding of the exhibition's content and thoughtful allocation of units, creating a holistic artistic experience. He highlighted the importance of enhancing mutual understanding and communication between China and Europe through culture and art, especially considering the challenges posed by transportation and communication barriers. This cultural exchange aims to eliminate misunderstandings and allow more people to experience the fascinating culture of foreign lands.
During the interactive Q&A session that followed, the guests enthusiastically answered questions from the media and fans, and they also signed and presented gifts. One of the topics discussed was how external environments influence artists and art movements. Wang Chunchen pointed out that Chinese painting primarily uses brush and ink, resulting in a distinct style that evolves with age, time, and environment. Therefore, artists must engage in more dialogues with nature. Alain TAPIÉ believed that Impressionist paintings are closely related to real-world natural objects, and Impressionist works convey a sense of transition from points to surfaces. He encouraged viewers to experience this when looking at Impressionist paintings.
Since its establishment in 2021, Meet You Museum has been dedicated to "bringing world museums closer to you" and has organized dozens of cultural and artistic exhibitions. These exhibitions have included works by masters such as Raphael, Picasso, Monet, Van Gogh, and Chagall, as well as exhibitions featuring ancient Egyptian artifacts and artists like Keith Haring and Andy Warhol in the realm of Pop Art. Additionally, the museum has independently developed the "Encounter Dunhuang Light and Shadow Art Exhibition" to support the innovative development and transformation of outstanding Chinese traditional culture. Over the past two years, the museum has welcomed more than two million visitors, providing a rich and diverse experience of the world's excellent cultural and artistic treasures to Chinese audiences.
Wang Chunchen, Professor at the Central Academy of Fine Arts and Director of Meet You Museum
Curator of the exhibition, Director of Peindre en Normandie Association Alain Tapié
Meet Impressionism - guests’ conversation at session
Claude Monet - Tempête à Sainte-Adresse
Meet Impressionism: Q&A Session in the Salon
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