Newsletter Vol. 2

Barbizon: A Journey to Impressionism Weekend with Galerie Michael

Galerie Michael is proud to present our 22^nd Annual Barbizon Weekend this November 14^th and 15^th. We have searched the world over and discovered many important works of art which will be proudly unveiled during this extraordinary exhibition.

Renowned lecturer Dr. Steven Adams, Professor at The University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield UK, and lecturer at the Victoria and Albert Museum and National Gallery in London, will be giving an in depth, informative lecture. The lecture will present comprehensive insight into the seminal evolution of “Plein Aire”, Nineteenth Century painting in Barbizon. Dr. Steven Adams is also the author of “The Barbizon School & the Origins of Impressionism” one of the foremost books on the Barbizon school.

Michael Schwartz owner and Barbizon expert will also be speaking Friday Evening, the 14^th and Saturday brunch, the 15^th at noon.

Dr. Gabriel Weisberg of the University of Minnesota, has also contributed an extensive essay in our Exhibition Catalogue “Barbizon: A Journey to Impressionism” Please contact us to receive the catalogue.

The Exhibition will include many unique and intriguing works such as a rare Breton, La Rammasseuse de Bois #909820 (the cover of the catalogue). This painting was discovered at a remote country venue in France. Works of this quality and historic importance are rarely seen outside of museums.

Billete, Breton’s assistant jointly signed Breton’s painting of a La Rammasseuse de Bois, which illustrates “a very traditional theme throughout the nineteenth century”. Attention is called “to the artist’s working methods, while also allowing him to maintain his ties with the Barbizon aesthetic even at the close of the century. This imposing work shows that Breton was still focused on the idea of creating a presentation piece for a public exhibition, just as he had at the Salons of the 1850s, where he first gained recognition with paintings of gleaners and wood gatherers.” – Weisberg ‘The Resurgence of Barbizon’

The exhibition will include an extensive collection of Diaz de la Pena works, the likes of which have not been seen for over a century. Particularly notable is Diaz’s collaboration with his assistant Leon Richet titled L’ondee, plaine de Barbizon #909162 (page 32 in the Catalogue) “Narcisse Virgile Diaz de la Pena, one of the masters of the Barbizon School, had the greatest influence on Leon Richet, as it was Diaz who brought him to the forest of Fontainebleau. The fact that Richet is known as one of the painters of the Barbizon School is without a doubt due to the influence of Diaz.” – Carrie Kilpatrick (Galerie Michael Curator)

Richet’s success at the Paris salon, including an honorable mention in 1885 and a second class medal in 1888, was due to the magnificent paintings he exhibited. Profoundly inspired by Diaz’s work and dedication, Richet strove to capture the idyllic and rustic aspect of nature. He studied the use of light, which played an integral part in his work, similarly to the way the Impressionists would paint only a few years later.”

– Carrie Larson-Kilpatrick (Galerie Michael Curator)

Diaz, Richet, Jacque, Lhermitte, Breton and the other artists in the Barbizon School are extremely important to the history and evolution of modern art. Without the Barbizon School’s rebellious act to throw away the strict academic teachings of the Salons and steping outside the studio to observe and directly paint nature in the forests of Fontainebleau, the Impressionists may have never come to pass.

Impressionist artists such as Pierre Auguste Renoir, Claude Monet, and Edouard Manet were highly influenced by the Barbizon School. That influence was not one of admiration but one of study and apprenticeship. Renoir himself studied under the watchful eye of Diaz in the Forests of Barbizon. The color pallete, subject matter and tonalities were some of the noticeable influences that Diaz had on Renoir, Monet and the Impressionists.

We look forward to having you join us for an insightful weekend of scholarship, fun, and discovery. Please RSVP as soon as possible as space is extremely limited. Contact your galerie representative for more details and information.


The Barbizon Weekend will include the following events:

Friday November 14^th

3:30pm Getty Tour with one of our art consultants/curator

6:30 pm Exhibition Opening at Galerie Michael

Saturday November 15^th
12:00pm Brunch at Galerie Michael and the Annex
2:30 pm LACMA (Los Angeles Museum of Art) exclusive tour with Dr. Steven Adams offered to Galerie Michael Guests only – Limited Space Available.