What’s on US: Must-See Exhibitions & Events for Francophiles

France Today ambassador Martha Sessums rounds up the must-see exhibitions and unmissable events for confirmed Francophiles beyond the shores of La Belle France…

HELEN MCNICOLL: AN IMPRESSIONIST JOURNEY

Helen McNicoll (1879-1915) was a Canadian Impressionist artist who, despite losing her hearing at the age of two after a bout of scarlet fever, went on to study painting in Paris and other places in Europe. She painted what she saw and felt, including women at work. This exhibition of more than 65 paintings explores her themes of female independence, risk-taking, friendship and the struggle to win the right to vote. Her popularity was fleeting at the time, but her command of capturing Impressionist moments is lasting and deserves a current moment.

Musée National des Beaux-Arts, Quebec, Canada

Until January 5

www.mnbaq.org

SEEING RED: RENOIR TO WARHOL

From politics to roses, red is ubiquitous. This exhibition explores how 70 artists, including Renoir, Chagall, Calder, Warhol and Hockney, have used red, from creating just an accent to depicting authority, Renoir said: “I want red to be sonorous, to sound like a bell. If it doesn’t turn out that way, I add more reds and other colours until I get it.”

Nassau County Museum of Art, New York

Until January 5

nassaumuseum.org

MONET AND LONDON: VIEWS OF THE THAMES

Between 1899 and 1901, Monet was in London, where he painted his Thames Series, including Charing Cross Bridge, Waterloo Bridge and the Houses of Parliament. They were exhibited in Paris in 1904, but Monet’s plans to show them in London the following year fell through, and these paintings have never been publicly displayed there. For the first time in 120 years, the series will be exhibited, revealing Monet’s vision of the Thames full of mysterious light and radiant colour.

The Courtauld Gallery, London

September 27 – January 19

courtauld.ac.uk

PARIS 1874: THE IMPRESSIONIST MOMENT

The origins of Impression are explored through an in-depth look at the paintings which were shown in the legendary 1874 exhibition, which gave birth to the new style. Discover the art norms that artists like Cézanne, Degas, Monet, Morisot, Pissarro, Renoir and others were rebelling against, along with the social and political shifts of the time that were also influential. The 130 works of art illustrate how a new artistic movement emerged in a rapidly changing world. The National Gallery of Art, in Washington DC, is the only venue in the USA to host the recent Musée d’Orsay exhibition.

National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC

September 8 – January 19

www.nga.gov

Impressionism: Franco-German Encounters

The story of Impressionism is retold in a fresh manner through more than 80 works by French and German artists that illustrate how the new style from France became popular and developed in Germany Paintings, sculptures and pastels from German artists such as Max Liebermann, Lovis Corinth and Max Slevogt are compared with France’s Manet, Renoir and Monet to illustrate how Impressionism’s inspiration, themes and motifs differed to the left and the right of the Rhine.

Hamburger Kunsthalle, Hamburg, Germany

Until January 1

www.hamburger-kunsthalle.de/en

1. PHOTOGRAPHY

How changes in the 19th century were caught on film as well as canvas…

IN THE LIBRARY: LIFE IN THE IMPRESSIONISTS’ PARIS

The social and political shifts of Paris in the late 19th century were captured in photographs as well as paintings. From the physical destruction caused by wars and politics to new technologies like the railways and industrialisation, the Parisian landscape was changing, Plus. women were more present in public life and tourists were in town. Some 40 photographs show the city of Paris and the artist community as Impressionists embraced change while other artists sought refuge in tradition.

National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC

September 4 – January 17

www.nga.gov

LOUISE BOURGEOIS: I HAVE BEEN TO HELL AND BACK AND LET ME TELL YOU, IT WAS WONDERFUL

Paris-born Louise Bourgeois’ art often explores the contradictory emotions of fear and hope, anxiety and calm, and guilt and reparation. In the largest exhibition of her work in Japan in 27 years, around 100 artworks come together to illustrate her strong will to survive and ways to overcome the often “hellish” suffering of mankind, ranging from personal issues to wars, natural disasters and disease. Her art is inspiration to keep going, even if it is hellish out there.

Mori Art Museum, Minato, Japan

September 9 – January 1

www.mori.art.museum/en

ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE DE MILWAUKEE

27th Annual Beaujolais Nouveau

Celebrate the 2024 harvest while enjoying music and dancing, delicious cuisine, a cash bar and a wine pull of curated wines that can be purchased.

Thursday, November 21 from 6-9pm CDT

ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE PORTLAND

Beaujolais Nouveau is Back

After a five-year break, the Beaujolais Nouveau celebration has returned to Portland. Enjoy a lavish buffet of French and American brands of food and, of course, Beaujolais Nouveau wine. Plus lots of other wines too.

November 22 at the Heathman Hotel.

1. ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE SILICON VALLEY

French Book Club

Discuss French books even if you didn’t read them. Books and their authors are reviewed and then discussed, all in French.

November 21-Le mage du Kremlin by Giuliano da Empoli.

From France Today Magazine