AFTER IMPRESSIONISM | INVENTING MODERN ART
by Saidat Animasaun
This exhibition at the National Gallery, London is a paragon of the evolution of impressionism and how modern art had evolved through international dialogues into what we now know as contemporary art. Starting from the works of significant figures like Cezanne, Van Gogh and Monet, you move through the exhibition being allowed to experience original paintings by these masters illuminated by the lights. This experience helps you appreciate the evolution and transformation of art, starting from pointillism which could be referred to as a more refined version of impressionism that still harboured the freedom of abstract strokes but now included the stark attention to details and form as required by the standards before impressionism became a movement.
Most of these beautifully framed pieces are portraits or landscapes and all were made using oils with the slight exception of some sculptures. The strong influence of this avant-garde movement seethes through every wall of this exhibition, each piece being an indicator of the events throughout history and how these artists channelled their surroundings and stimulated their creativity and it is truly an enlightenment for all interested in art and history.