Impressionists at Treviso and Conegliano until Jan 14.
Myra
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I m p o r t a n t E x h i b i t i o n s
MASTERPIECES OF IMPRESSIONISM
Two exhibitions devoted to the greatest impressionist painters at Treviso, a
magnificent town known as the 'garden of Venice'. On display paintings by
Degas, Manet, Monet, Renoir and Cézanne.
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by Marina Fabrizi
Impressionism is a movement which deeply influenced the whole course of
nineteenth-century European painting. Two important exhibitions on this
subject have opened in the province of Treviso: 'The Birth of Impressionism'
in the prestigious premises of the Casa dei Carraresi in Treviso, and 'From
Courbet to Manet. The School of Barbizon and Impressionism. Watercolours and
Drawings', in the gallery of Palazzo Sarcinelli at Conegliano, a mere 20
minutes from Treviso. Both shows, open to the public until 14 January, give
a clear sense of the salient features of the birth and development of a
movement that had notable repercussions, and not only for painting. Treviso'
s bid to become 'European Capital of Impressionism' is not limited to these
two exhibitions. The Cassamarca Foundation has imminent plans for the
institution of an international centre for Impressionist studies, based in
Treviso. This will be a unique opportunity for the city and its
neighbourhood. Boasting, as it does, of so many sites of cultural and
natural beauty worth a visit, it can stake a claim for itself in the
international tourist panorama.
T h e T r e v i s o e x h i b i t i o n
The Treviso exhibition is the most important that has ever been held on the
subject. There are 160 works, all dating from between 1830 and 1874, with
the single exception of Degas' Portrait of Diego Martinelli, painted in
1879. It is divided in four sections, to allow the visitor to follow the
evolution of painting in this crucial period in art history, and its
distinctive features. In the first section, 'Classical Landscapes in France'
the innovations are highlighted: in particular the need which certain
artists began to feel the need to paint in close contact with nature, the
'en plein air' characteristic of the Impressionists. The importance of
direct contact with nature becomes more and more clear in the works of the
painters of the 'School of Barbizon', which takes up a whole section of the
exhibition.
The nucleus of the exhibition are the eighty works by the great artists who
officially open the Impressionist period: Manet, Renoir, Monet, Degas and
Cézanne, to mention only some of the most representative. Among the most
memorable paintings in the exhibition are 'L'amoureuse de Baudelaire' by
Manet, 'Paul Alexis reading to Emile Zola' by Cézanne, and 'Bather with
Griffin' by Renoir.
Casa dei Carraresi
Via Palestro, 33/35
Treviso
Info: +39 0422 654768 - Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 09:00 AM 08:00
PM; Friday to Sunday, 09:00 AM 10:00 PM.
T h e e x h i b i t i o n a t C o n e g l i a n o
The exhibition at Conegliano, 'From Courbet to Manet', is the natural
continuation of the Treviso exhibition. It is a collection that tries to do
justice to the drawings and water colours so often left in the shade by
paintings in the nineteenth century. There were commercial reasons for this,
as there was a larger market for paintings on canvas, just as critics gave
greater importance to them too, considering anything else as 'unfinished' or
mere sketches, by comparison. But in many cases artists managed to express
all their creativity in these forms, which did not have the same iron rules
which were imposed on paintings. In spite of this initial atmosphere of
'hostility', they quickly began to take on a more and more important role.
The artists of Barbizon were the first to give greater importance to
drawings and water colours, and some impressionists too considered them a
fundamental stage in reaching the heights of painting.
The exhibition has around 70 works, including drawings, water colours and
pastels by artists of the calibre of Manet, Bazille, Cézanne, Degas and
Delacroix. Many of them come from the most important European and American
museums and galleries.
Palazzo Sarcinelli
Via XX Settembre, 132
Conegliano
Info: +39 0438 413317 - Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday, 09:00 AM 08:00
PM; Friday and Saturday, 09:00 AM 10:00 PM.
H o w t o b o o k
Linea d'Ombra, which is organizing both exhibitions, has a call-center
service, the only one of its kind in Italy. With it one can book from one's
home tickets for the exhibitions, choosing the date and time of the visit,
and thus avoiding the irritation of entrance queues. The service functions
every day from 09:00 AM till 05:00 PM at the number: +39 0438 21306, or
online on the website www.lineaombra.it/biglietto. Payment can be made by
credit card, money transfer or postal order.
A l l - i n c l u s i v e t o u r i s t p a c k a g e s
A consortium of more than 100 tour operators in the area, calling themselves
'Treviso una provincia intorno', has some special offers for visitors to
these exhibitions. The first, exclusively for tourists who organize their
own stay, offers discounts from 10% to 30% for bed and breakfast, and a 15%
discount in the restaurants of the area. The second offers a weekend option,
available from the agencies of the Consortium, with prices starting from
140,000 lira up to 185,000 lira per person for a double room and two meals.
Special reductions are available for groups. For further information,
contact the Consortium 'Treviso una provincia intorno' - phone +39 0422
541052 - fax +39 0422 540366, or consult the web sites
www.sevenonline.it/tvintorno or www.trevisotour.org.
W h a t t o s e e i n T r e v i s o
a n d C o n e g l i a n o
Treviso is a town not far from Venice (a mere 20 minutes by train) and the
art cities of Padua and Vicenza. It has much to offer visitors. Its strong
point is its extraordinary countryside, an uncontaminated environment that
harmonizes beautifully with the wealth of its artistic and cultural
heritage. It is no accident that Treviso has been called the 'Garden of
Venice'. Another of its peculiarities is its myriad of water-courses running
through the city, emerging and submerging, creating an atmosphere which is
quite unique, even compared with Venice itself.
Wandering around the city, one is immediately struck by the indelible traces
that the past has left in every corner. A visit to the Civic Museum is
essential, but nor should one miss the Duomo, in which there is a medieval
crypt, or the Piazza dei Signori with its numerous palazzi, or the Church of
St Catherine.
The authentic local cuisine is also of interest to visitors. Among local
dishes, in particular there is 'sopa coada', a pigeon soup, and the various
delicacies prepared with the famous red chicory which grows only in this
area. There are also good tourist services and facilities throughout the
area.
Conegliano was the birthplace of the famous painter Giambattista Cima, whose
house is still standing. It contains relics, documents and reproductions of
his works, and the duomo houses an extraordinary altarpiece of his,
depicting a 'Sacred Conversation'. Worth visiting too is the Castle Museum
in the old belltower, containing, among others, an important collection of
epigraphs and a wooden crucifix dating to the XV century.
There are various important events held at Conegliano, including 'La Dama
Castellana' on the first Sunday of October. This is based on a draughts
tournament between the various districts of the town. The participants are
dressed in medieval costume and the winners being given the 'symbolic' keys
of the city. There is also Antennacinema, an international film and
television festival.
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Published in Italy by "Avinews - Mediterranean Focus"
Vol. XXI, No. 356 - International Edition Vol. I, No. 5
in...@avinews.com
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