Galerie Ary Jan is pleased to announce the donation of a painting to the Orsay Museum
Camille-Léopold Cabillot-Lassalle, The Salon of 1874

Currently on view in the exhibition "Paris 1874, Inventing Impressionism"
from March 26th to July 14th, 2024 at the Orsay Museum

"On April 15, 1874, an exhibition opened in Paris that marked the birth of one of the world's most famous artistic movements, Impressionism. For the first time, Monet, Renoir, Degas, Morisot, Pissarro, Cézanne and Sisley came together in complete independence to exhibit their works: clear, luminous paintings, translating their fleeting impressions of the motif with a quick, light touch. In this way, they emancipated themselves from the Salon, the great official exhibition dominating Parisian artistic life and guardian of the academic tradition. At a time marked by political, economic and social upheaval, the Impressionists proposed an art form in tune with modernity. Their way of painting "what they see, [...] as they see it", as art critic Ernest Chesneau wrote, surprised and bewildered.

What happened in those few weeks? In a hundred or so works from the exhibition of these independent artists, or from the official Salon, "Paris 1874. Inventing Impressionism" celebrates the 150th anniversary of a decisive spring. The exhibition explores what went on behind the scenes and what was at stake at what has become a legendary event, often considered the kick-off for the avant-garde.

Orsay Museum, Paris

from March 26th to July 14th 2024