The Impressionists in Normandy exhibition at the Museo degli Innocenti

In Florence until 4 May, works by Monet, Renoir, Delacroix, Courbet and more

Until May 4, 2025 the exhibition Impressionisti in Normandia celebrates the 150th anniversary of the birth of Impressionism, showcasing 70 works from artists such as Monet, Renoir, Delacroix, Courbet and many more. Among the highlights of the exhibition is Monet's Pink Water Lillies, on loan for the occasion from Galleria Nazionale di Arte Moderna in Rome, one of the "first series" of water lily painted from the french artist.

RENOIR Coucher de Soleil, vue de Guernesey 1893

It has been 150 years since that famous 1874, when 31 artists, including Monet, Renoir, Degas, Pissarro and Cezanne, rejected by the establishment decided to open a "revolutionary" exhibition at the art gallery of the photographer Nadar, In Paris. This exhibition marked the start of a new movement that changed art history forever.

The exhibition focuses on the Peindre en Normandie Collection, with loans from the Musée d'art moderne di Le Havre and private collections. It explores how, since its beginnings, Impressionism made Normandy its center, making it become a en plein air laboratory for experimenting with light, landscapes and colors. Places like, Dieppe, the Seine estuary, Le Havre, Trouville beach, the coastline of Honfleur and Deauville and the Fècamp port became the center of Impressionist inspiration.

BONNARD, Le bassin des Yachts à Deauville v. 1910 copia

Masterpieces on display include Cliffs of Dieppe by Delacroix (1834), The beach at Trouville (1865) by Courbet, Fécamp (1881) by Monet and Sunset, View of Guernesey (1893) by Renoir. These paintings, alongside works by lesser-known artists, show the strong bond between Impressionists and Normandy.

DELACROIX Falaises à Dieppe v. 1834 copia

The exhibition is divided into 5 sections, it starts with La fattoria Saint-Simenon, a place of relax that inspired Daubigny, Courbet and a young Monet. It then focuses on the role of sea, first with In riva al mare: svago, villeggiatura and then with In riva al mare: il lavoro. These two sections show two faces of the same place, the first underlines the luxury and amusement of the high society, while the second focuses on the harsh reality of sailors and fishermen. The third section, Terra Normanna, is a selection of works that emphasize the beauty of Normandy countryside and the last section, Lungo la Senna, illustrates how this river inspired the painters before they turned to Normandy.