The Musée du Luxembourg is currently hosting the first exhibition devoted to Art dealer and collector Paul Durand-Ruel. Presenting a tremendous selection of eighty masterpieces of impressionnism (most of which have crossed the Atlantic for the occasion!), with famous artists such as Renoir, Manet, Monnet and many others, this exhibition offers a gorgeous overview of this artistic movement, precursor of a true upheaval in Art at the turn of the XXth century. Impressionnist painting enthousiasts will enjoy this exceptional reunion of some of the greatest talents and most emblematic pieces of this period in a unique place, overlooking the Jardins du Luxembourg, right in the heart of Paris.
Who was Paul Durand-Ruel ?
Major figure of the diffusion of impressionnism at the end of the XIXth century and at the turn of the XXth century, Paul Durand-Ruel (1831-1922) was an Art lover and an « avant-gardiste » before anything else. He was perhaps the greatest Art dealer of the XIXth century, and some Art historians even consider him « the inventor of modern Art market ». At a time when the impressionnist movement is still despised as a temporary and absurd whim in the then short-sighted Art world, Paul Durand-Ruel's sharp and iconoclast eye sees in it a promising and innovative stream. Little by little, he takes on acquiring a great number of paintings by artists who are now tremendously famous such as Édouard Manet, Paul-Auguste Renoir or Claude Monnet. He is one of the only Art dealers to take this bet back then. And this bet will reveal to be a winning one for him, but also and especially for the artists he discovered and who will gain – partly thanks to his support – international fame and a major part to play in Art History.
Why this exhibition ?
We public have a relationship with Art that is almost entirely centered on the artists themselves and their work. So much so that we often forget the crucial rôle of Art dealers in the making of Art History. Opinion leaders, talents and trends discoverers, but also and most importantly broadcasters, Art dealers have, with their choices and sensitivity, constructed Art History as we know it (and still do!). However, outside of the restricted circles of the Art market professionals, they are usually in the shadow, unknown or poorly known by the public. We only discover them through a handful of exhibitions that unveil their personnal collections... or thanks to exhibitions such as the one currently presented by the Musée du Luxembourg.
Practical information
The exhibition is ongoing until Sunday, February 8th (included).
The Musée du Luxembourg is situated at 19 rue de Vaugirard - 75006 Paris.
Timetable
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m to 7 p.m
Mondays and Fridays from 10 a.m to 10 p.m
Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m to 8 p.m
Prices
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Full Price : 12,00 euros
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Reduced Price : 7,50 euros
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Special « youngster » price : 7,50 euros from Monday to Friday, as from 5 p.m, two tickets for one for youngsters between 16 and 25
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Free for children under 16
How to go from Hotel du Danube ?
It is only a 15-minute walk : When you get out of the hotel, take a left on rue Jacob. Then take the second street on the right (rue Bonaparte) and follow it straight ahead until you get to the Jardin du Luxembourg. You will cross the Boulevard Saint-Germain on the way, be careful not to get lost at the croosroad and follow the rue Bonaparte. Once you get to the edge of the Jardin du Luxembourg, walk left for a few meters. You have arrived to the Musée du Luxembourg !