One of the latest exhibitions at the newly re-opened Museum of Modern Art, affectionately called MoMA, is "Pioneering Modern Painting: Cezanne and Pissarro 1865-1885". Located on the 6th floor, this is an impressive show that pairs works from each artist over an extended period of time while they were painting in the same towns throughout France. Using an interesting approach, the exhibition allows you to compare each of the artists stroke for stroke placing pictures of the same town or subject side by side. BTW - can you tell who is who to the left??
I found the show quite overwhelming and illustrative of the competive nature of their relationship. Stylistically different, I found myself drawn to Cezanne's pieces because of their bold brushstrokes. By comparison, I found Pissarro more diffident. Favored pieces included Cezanne's "Landscape, Auvers-sur-Oise c.1874" which used indigo to highlight the roofsof one building drawing me in to focus and marvel at his bold use of color. I found myself appreciating Cezanne's color palate more for unique combinations that were startling yet lovely. Again- for me Pissarro didn't quite match up except for the "Kitchen Garden, Trees in Flower" at Pontoise where I loved his use of detail on the tree in the forefront of the painting.
For true fans - this is an a dream come true considering the sheer number of pieces - over 80 plus several drawings. Sadly, I think Pissarro look diminished next to Cezanne but that is my opinion only. The exhibit is open until September 12, 2005.
MoMa is located at 11 West 53rd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues. Phone: 212-708-9400. Museum hours: Sat-Mon, 9:30am - 5:30pm; closed Tuesday, Thurs, 9:30pm-5:30pm and Fri, 9:30am - 8:00pm. Admission is $20. A full overview of MoMA to come shortly.
Psst...Cezanne's "The House of the Hanged Man is on the left; Pissarro's "The Conversion" is on the right.