In the footsteps of the impressionists
 

Impressionism is a style of painting at the end of the 19th century. The painters left their studios and took their canvases to nature. The pictures have been painted in front of the motif. To capture the moment, the artists painted with short hectical strokes of their brushes. The description "Impressionism" comes from the artwork "Impression - rising sun" by Claude Monet.

As the most important artists of this style in France, I'd like to mention Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edouard Manet and Berthe Morisot. Especially in and around Paris many legendary artworks of impressionism have been created.

In the shortness of time (and the lack of background-knowledge those days), I have won nothing but a superficial impression. Nevertheless, I'd like to show something of what I have discovered for myself:

I first got in touch with impressionism after my schooldays in the little village of Auvers-sur-Oise. I accidentally discovered a photo of van Gogh's tomb in a guide. I became curious and immediately went there. In fact, I found a village that has been influenced by artists of only one style like no one else. Charles Daubigny arrived in the 1860s and in the aftermath many other painters...

 
the Oise bridge at Auvers
l'Oise, the river that served as scenery and motif
the church of Auvers, cultural heritage of the UNESCO
Auberge Ravoux
tomb of the brothers Vincent (left) & Theo (right) van Gogh
Castle of Auvers
 

A tour leads us after having passed the church and the cemetery over fields and small streets. Everywhere you can discover hints which artist painted which piece in this or that place. The Auberge Ravoux was the boarding house for many painters. In this house, Vincent van Gogh died in his chamber after having blessed himself with a shotgun. Finally, in the castle you can go on a virtual journey to the Paris of the 19th century and witness the artists' way from the metropolis into the province.

Back in Paris, we start our tour sitting on a chair in the Jardin du Luxembourg. This is a park that is vastly visited by the Parisians, less by tourists. We are watching children who let sail their little boats on the central pond. It was in this garden where Degas painted nurses who went for a walk with their masters' children. Afterwards, we walk straight to the Palais, nowadays seat of the French senate and turn left. We leave the Jardin to Rue Bonaparte, which leads us directly to the Seine River. On the right hand, we see the St. Sulpice church. A short while later, we arrive at the Boulevard St. Germain and at the St. Germain des Prés church (please see church tour).

 
Jardin du Luxembourg
Palais du Luxembourg
Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel
Jardin des Tuileries
Avenue des Champs-Élysées
 

After having crossed the Seine and the courtyard of the Louvre, we arrive at the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, the door to the Tuileries. In this green ground in the heart of the city, people came to dances in the old days. On the two corners next to the Place de la Concorde we discover the galleries Jeu de Paume and Orangerie (where you can visit Monet's Water Lilies). Leaving the Tuileries here, you will see the Champs-Élysées in front of you, the most famous street of Paris.

On the other end, at the Arc de Triomphe, we turn to Avenue Hoche, which leads straight to Parc Monceau. The park was created in a distinguished quarter with buildings in an antique style in the middle of the 19th century. Manet's studio was close at hand and many collectors lived here, too.

At the exit of the park, we enter the subway that takes us to the BLANCHE station. We climb the Montmartre Hill via Rue Lepic, ignoring the Moulin Rouge. On top, we turn left where the street continues in a bend. There, in no. 54, Vincent van Gogh lived for some time in his brother Theo's apartment. A few steps further in the same street, we see the Moulin de la Galette that has been immortalized by more than one impressionist. This is where we finish our little tour in the footsteps of the impressionists.

 
Parc Monceau - la naumachie
Parc Monceau - la pyramide 
54, rue Lepic
le Moulin de la Galette
Musée d'Orsay
Musée d'Orsay
 

And in our days? The paintings are scattered all over the world in museums, galleries and private collections. In Paris, you find them - for example - in the Orangerie, the Marmottan museum and of course the Orsay. You should come here on a Thursday evening for the Nocturne to enjoy the paintings while it's getting dark outside.

 
Paris
 
Created on: 16/08/2000
Last update: 13/08/2004