This summer, the Barnes Foundation’s latest exhibit will take locals on a trip to Europe—France specifically, with the venue’s opening of ‘From Paris to Provence: French Painting at the Barnes.’
The showcase boasts 50 paintings from the first floor collection galleries by Paul Cézanne, Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, and other artists, and will open to the public June 29 through Aug. 31 in the Roberts Gallery.
“Featuring a wide variety of works from the first-floor galleries, this exhibition emphasizes the historical and cultural context of the paintings and offers the extraordinary opportunity for visitors to encounter beloved French paintings from the Barnes collection in new conversations,” says Thom Collins, Neubauer Family Executive Director and President.
Highlights span ‘The Studio Boat’ by Monet, ‘The Postman’ by Van Gogh, ‘Laundry’ by Édouard Manet, ‘Mont Sainte-Victoire’ by Paul Cézanne, ‘Portrait of the Red-Headed Woman’ by Amedeo Modigliani and more. All works from this new exhibition have been curated by Cindy Kang.
“By seeing these works juxtaposed for the first time, visitors will discover how particular places—with their distinct landscapes, light, and people—shaped the work of each artist,” Kang explains. “I hope this exhibition will inspire audiences to see these well-known paintings in a new light and with a renewed sense of appreciation and level of understanding.”
As a release and Kang describes, this exhibition examines how place informed the work of modern painters in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The exhibition begins in Paris and its suburbs, as in Van Gogh’s ‘The Factory’, and sites of blooming suburban leisure, as in Monet’s ‘Madame Monet Embroidering.’ Plus, you’ll take in life in and around Paris and the coastal regions of Normandy and Brittany inspired the brushwork, palette, and contemporary subject matter of impressionists like Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Several of these painters subsequently moved to the South of France, intensifying the colors in their work, and Philadelphians will get to see it all in the showcase.
This exhibit will also feature several Van Gogh paintings from the Barnes collection, plus, nearly 20 works from Cézanne, uniting the two painters in this way for the first time at the museum. While this exhibition is on view, rooms 2 through 13 of the Barnes collection will be closed for a floor refinishing project. Following the exhibition, the paintings will return to their original locations in the galleries.
Locals and visitors have a few other reasons to stop by the Foundation this season outside of the new exhibit as well. Mother’s Day weekend (May 10-11) will hold a few different reasons to bring your whole family and the special lady in your life along. Guided tours are available on these dates, as are private guided tours (which caps at 10 guests.) The experience allows visitors to explore highlights of the venue’s collection, including some of their special exhibitions, or get the scoop on specific artists.
May also holds the chance to partake in a special spotlight tour, which happens (and rotates in theme) monthly at The Barnes. This month examines the friendly rivalry between Matisse and Picasso. ‘Friends and Rivals: Picasso and Matisse’ runs for $39 on weekdays and $49 on weekends (members are free.) This experience also includes access to the collection and ‘Cecily Brown: Themes and Variations’ exhibit (closing May 25) before and after the tour.
Additionally, this summer also holds a community engagement project from Barnes North, which is building on the heels of success of another placemaking program from the organization, Barnes West.
Celebrating North Philly’s neighborhoods and local voices, Barnes North will foster new connections between artists, residents, businesses, and agencies that are deeply invested in uplifting their own communities, a release notes. This summer, the organization will select a group of artists to partner with “everyday” locations in the neighborhood—including public parks, civic centers, and community organizations—to build interactive, participatory projects that engage with the business or site and residents. Details can be found online.
To find out more information on The Barnes (2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy,) and everything happening this summer, visit barnesfoundation.org
