Jean-Louis Forain: La Comédie parisienne
- Ongoing: until Sunday, October 9, 2011
- Sunday: 1:00pm
- Tuesday: 10:00am
- Wednesday: 10:00am
- Thursday: 10:00am
- Friday: 10:00am
- Saturday: 10:00am
- Where: Dixon Gallery & Gardens, 4339 Park Avenue, Memphis, TN 38117
- Cost: Free - $7
- Age limit: Not available
The Dixon in Memphis opens Jean-Louis Forain retrospective on Sunday, June 26, 2011
Memphis museum is only American venue for international retrospective of French Impressionist Jean-Louis Forain
Memphis art museums partner to present “A Very Impressionistic Summer”
(June 2011) The Dixon Gallery and Gardens, art museum with gardens in Memphis, Tennessee, is pleased to host national and international dignitaries and the Forain Family at the opening weekend celebration for the Dixon’s historic summer exhibition, Jean-Louis Forain: La Comédie parisienne, June 24-26, 2011.
The Dixon is the only American venue for the seminal retrospective of French painter and graphic artist Jean-Louis Forain, essential member of the Impressionist circle, protégé of Edgar Degas, and mentor to Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. The exhibition is the result of an unprecedented collaboration with the Petit Palais, the Museum of Fine Arts of the City of Paris, featuring more than 125 paintings, pastels, prints and decorative objects assembled from museum and private collections across the globe. The retrospective traces the expanse of the artist’s fifty-year career, starting with his role as the “youngest and most incisive of the Impressionists” and closing with the expressive force of his later years.
The exhibition represents an extraordinary educational and cultural opportunity for visitors considering its unique circumstances: the Dixon is the only venue in the United States and the last Forain retrospective of this scale took place nearly a century ago, in 1913. The Dixon is uniquely positioned to host the Forain retrospective after acquiring approximately 60 works by the artist in 1993.
Mayor of Memphis A C Wharton comments: “Memphis is thrilled to be the only American city to host this landmark exhibit of Jean-Louis Forain’s works. My thanks and congratulations to Kevin Sharp and the entire staff of the Dixon Gallery and Gardens for bringing this remarkable and renowned show to our city. Forain’s work beautifully and evocatively brought to life the vibrant people and communities of France and Mrs. Wharton and I cannot wait to see it for ourselves. Exhibits like this further elevate Memphis’ national reputation as a city that knows how to appreciate and celebrate the fine arts. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the people of Memphis and should not be missed.”
To celebrate this Impressionist retrospective at the Dixon and The Impressionist Revolution opening at the Brooks on July 16, the two top-ranking art museums of Memphis have partnered to present A Very Impressionistic Summer. Visitors can see both exhibitions for the price of one. Details below or at www.impressmemphis.org, dixon.org or brooksmuseum.org.
Jean-Louis Forain (1852-1931) emerged from the Parisian literary demimonde of the 1870s to become one of France’s best known and most revered artists. At the invitation of Degas, he joined the Impressionist circle in 1879 and participated in four of its landmark exhibitions. Through half-century of paintings, pastels, drawings and political cartoons, Jean-Louis Forain explored the glittering entertainments of Belle Époque Paris and satirized the Parisian bourgeoisie with an honesty and panache unlike any other artist working at the time.
Ms. Priscilla Presley will travel from Los Angeles to Memphis to attend the black-tie opening gala at the Dixon, La Fête Forain, on Saturday, June 25 as a national representative of the arts in Memphis. “Dixon Gallery and Gardens' exhibit of Jean-Louis Forain: La Comédie parisienne is an important cultural event for Memphis, and I am pleased to give my support to this endeavor that puts the best of Memphis’ art and culture in the national eye.”
The sold-out event will feature haute cuisine with wine pairings created by renowned Memphis Master Chef Jose Gutierrez, the recent recipient of the Toque d'Argent-Trophee Andre Surmain, the Chef of the Year award from the Maîtres Cuisiniers de France. Live entertainment will be provided by the Pat Patrick Orchestra on the south lawn of the Dixon’s 17 acres of gardens as guests toast the arrival of the most ambitious international loan exhibition in the museum’s 35-year history.
Jean-Louis Forain: La Comédie parisienne opens to the public on Sunday, June 26 and will be on view through October 9. A 250-page, full-color catalogue and authored by Florence Valdès-Forain will published in both French and English. Valdès-Forain is the great-granddaughter of the artist and leading authority on his work. The book examines more than 200 of the Forain’s greatest works and will become the definitive study on the artist.
The exhibition was organized by The Petit Palais, Musée des Beaux-Arts of the city of Paris, in collaboration with the Dixon Gallery & Gardens, Memphis. Florence Valdès-Forain is the curator of the exhibition for both the Petit Palais and the Dixon.
New Summer Programs at the Dixon
The Dixon will open a garden café, Café Forain, serving sandwiches, salads, snacks and beverages by Just for Lunch throughout the run of the exhibition. Open during regular museum hours including Thursday evenings until 9 pm.
The Dixon will extend evening hours every Thursday evening and host performances, films, and other activities. A full schedule of programming and events can be found atwww.dixon.org
A full color, 250-page exhibition catalogue authored by Florence Valdès-Forain will be available June 22.
Opening Events for Jean-Louis Forain: La Comédie parisienne at the Dixon:
Friday, June 24, 11 a.m.—Press Preview / Luncheon
Saturday, June 25, 6:30 p.m.—La Fête Forain Opening Gala – Media must arrive no later than 6 p.m.
Sunday, June 26: Open to Public, Opening Lecture & Member Reception
1 p.m. Jean-Louis Forain: La Comédie parisienne opens to the public;
4 p.m. Opening Lecture: Jean-Louis Forain: La Comédie Parisienne—A Tour of the Exhibition by Florence Valdes-Forain, curator of the Forain exhibition, catalogue author, and great granddaughter of the artist.
EXHIBITION LISTING
Jean-Louis Forain: La Comédie parisienne
June 26 – October 9, 2011
Dixon Gallery & Gardens, 4339 Park Avenue, Memphis, TN 38117 | 901.761.5250 | www.dixon.org
Admission: Free for members, Free Saturday Mornings from 10 am – 12 noon. $7 adults, $5 seniors and students, $ youth under 17, free for kids under 6. $5 per person for groups of 10 people or more; Call 901-761-5250 for group tours
A VERY IMPRESSIONISTIC SUMMER – MEMPHIS 2011
ONE TICKET. TWO EXHIBITS. FOUR MONTHS OF GENIUS.
www.impressmemphis.org
Impressionism is coming to Memphis during the summer of 2011 in the form of two once-in-a-lifetime exhibitions. The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art and Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Memphis’ two top-rank art museums, are partnering to present “A Very Impressionistic Summer,” which offers audiences an opportunity to immerse themselves in the artistic world of Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, John Singer Sargent, and Jean-Louis Forain, among many others.
Starting June 26 through October 9, 2011 purchase a general museum admission at the Dixon, then present your ticket at the Brooks on or after July 16, 2011 to see the Impressionist Revolutionexhibition free of charge.
or
Starting July 16 through October 9, 2011 purchase a general museum admission at the Brooks, then present your ticket at the Dixon to see the exhibition Jean-Louis Forain: La Comédie parisienne free of charge.
Join the Dixon and see both of these shows for free! To join, call (901)761-5250 ext. 125 or visitwww.dixon.org
The Madison Hotel - A Very Impressionistic Summer Exclusive Partner
The jazzy spirit of Memphis is brought to life at the Madison Hotel. This boutique luxury hotel dazzles the senses with its striking interiors. Its contemporary style is best defined by its bold use of colors, geometric patterns, and modern furnishings. Sexy yet comfortable, this stylish luxury hotel is the select address for cosmopolitan travelers. It is known as downtown Memphis’ most celebrated luxury venue and the 1st Small Luxury Four Diamond Hotel – The Madison.
About the Dixon Gallery & Gardens:
Founded in 1976 by Hugo and Margaret Dixon, the Dixon Gallery and Gardens is a fine art museum and public garden distinguished by its diverse and innovative programs in the arts and horticulture. The Dixon features a permanent collection of over 2,000 objects, including French and American Impressionist paintings and significant holdings of German and English porcelain. The museum organizes and presents eight to ten exhibitions every year, the diversity of which appeals to visitors of all ages.
This event was posted June 20, 2011 and last updated June 21, 2011
