Howdy peeps, Wilson dropping in here for this week’s edition of Nature Friday where we join our mates from at Adventures of the LLB Gang. Don’t forget to click on the link to see what others have shared for their Nature Friday blog hop. Mum loves it when I parkour for her. This log is kinda slippery but I managed to hold on long enough for her to fumble around take the picture. Hel-lo, I’m sliding down here. Sheesh, humans don’t realize how hard we try to please their silly whims and what we have to go through to get there. Anyway…last week we said we’d share a few of the nature pics from the Pissarro exhibit, The Honest Eye: Camille Pissarro’s Impressionism. Mum is a big fan of Impressionistic art and was pretty blown away with more than 100 beautiful paintings from Pissarro, learning Denver is the only venue where his exhibit will show in the U.S.
Wilson: Perhaps not as well known as Monet, Pissarro was a central figure in the movement, and is often credited with being the father of Impressionism. Pissarro was the only painter to exhibit in all eight Impressionist exhibitions (1874-1886) and significantly influenced many of the Post-Impressionists, like Paul Cézanne, Georges Seurat, Paul Gauguin, and Vincent van Gogh, mentoring them through many artistic challenges. Pissarro ‘s art often championed everyday scenes, painting peasants and rural workers with dignity and respect, thus elevating the lives of common folks in his art, which Renoir said was a revolutionary act at the time. Pissarro was known for his consistent work, but he also experimented with Neo-Impressionism (Pointillism) but abandoned the movement after a few years. He spent his life exploring the effects of light and atmosphere and how it affected color, according to Create! Art School and The Denver Art Museum.
The Mum: Pissarro was completely dedicated to holding independent exhibitions in the early Impressionist period as it emerged in the 20th century. I was particularly impressed with his work utilizing the pointillism technique developed by Georges Seurat and Paul Signac, the technique of painting where small, distinct dots of color are applied in patterns to form an image. It was a demanding technique that took much longer to complete the work. Pissarro’s life was fraught with personal and financial difficulties, having married his mother’s maid which caused problems within the family. He was the only artist to have shown his work at all eight Paris Impressionist exhibitions, from 1874 to 1886.
Wilson: He must have been something back in his day despite struggling financially his whole life. Didn’t you say several of his children became artists?
The Mum: Indeed. He constantly wrote letters about and to his children and was a devoted father to them as well as being the father of Impressionism. His use of color and light was extraordinary. As I walked through the exhibit, I was very impressed by his devotion to the family and his art.
Wilson: You walked through another exhibit that you really liked as well. Just check out this piece. These grapes looked incredibly realistic.
The Mum: Yes, I was very impressed by that piece. I sadly neglected to note the painter’s name, but think he was an American artist. All in all, the museum outing was great fun and I was especially glad I was able to see some amazing artwork showing lots of scenes from Nature.
Wilson: In other news about Nature, I noticed your friend, Figaro is back after you cut back all the spindly branches when we moved. I guess your tender care after he looked outside last autumn and said, “Eek! It’s autumn and I must shed my leaves like all the other plants,” is finally paying off. This week he started to set new buds and leaves. Maybe it’s a sign that Spring is just around the corner? {paws crossed} I’m looking forward to watching him grow leaves and hopefully he’ll set a bunch of fruit, too.
The Mum: I was practically beside myself when I saw that buds were forming. It’s all very exciting and hope he continues to grow back.
Wilson: Like I always say, whatever turns your handle. I just hope the fruit tastes good. Well, that’s it from us, let’s wrap up and sweep up this latest episode with this sculpture from outside of the museum, shall we? Have you got any plans for this weekend beyond watching the Super Bowl, the half-time show and the ads? We’ll be entertaining some out of town company and hope everyone has a great weekend even if your team isn’t in the game. Have a great time and don’t forget to get outside and take in slices of Nature, whether in a landscape or even in artwork. Cheers mates!
Live, love, bark! 🐾
What a great artist, we didn’t know him, but these paintings make that we nefurr forget his name😸Extra Pawkisses for you, Wilson and your mommy too🐾😽💞
So glad you enjoyed seeing Pissarro’s beautiful work. I wasn’t familiar with him before either but definitely enjoyed the exhibit and sharing his work on the blog. It’s always good to see artwork like his and share it with others. And thanks for all the pawkisses-they are most appreciated. 😻
Thank you for the lesson on Impressionism and Pissarro. You posed beautifully on the log and I do hope your tree has good fruit someday soon.
Thank you. That was a terrific exhibit-I was lucky to get to go. Wilson is learning how to hang on that particular log. He’s catching on to how to do it safely. And I’m trying to be better prepared with the camera. 😊
Wow…what beautiful paintings, so realistic!
Thanks. He painted so beautifully. Hope it’s been a good weekend you got, guys.
Lulu: “We’re not sure what’s more impressive, the paintings or those fancy frames they’re in!”
They are pretty ornate, aren’t they? I don’t understand why they put them in such gaudy frames, it almost seems like the frames take away from the beauty of the painting.
I don’t know much about Pissaro but i really like the paintings. And museums are a touch of color with all the grey. Congratulations to Figaro!!
Thanks Martha. I didn’t know about Pissarro either and learned so much about his contribution to the Impressionist movement. I erroneously thought Monet had contributed more when in fact, it was Pissarro who was the mentor and father of the movement. I’m so glad I accepted my friend’s invite to attend and learned about all the striking contributions he made not to mention all the exquisite art he painted while facing lots of obstacles. He was definitely a giant in the art world. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Hope you’re staying warm.
By the way, if you want to know how I recognized Two Grapes as a de Pret painting, stop on by reikos-journey.blog and I explain.
👍🏻
Lovely update 😀
Thanks, Paul. Have a great weekend!
Purty pictures! I think you nailed saying that the most striking aspect of Pissaro’s work is his control of light, notwithstanding every tourist shoppe on Earth telling us that Thomas Kincaide was the master of light 😁 The grapes were painted by Miguel de Pret, I believe. Have a good weekend. Go Broncos! Wait…that’s right…another year, another broken heart. 💔
You’re too kind. Thanks. It was a terrific exhibit. I’ve always thought the Impressionist movement such an amazing job with light. Thomas Kincaide indeed. 😂
Thanks for the artist attribution. For some reason I had it in my mind it was painted by an U.S. artist-I usually take a pic of the informational card next to the painting but for some reason I didn’t and couldn’t find anything that matched it when I came home. Broncos…hahahaha. I just hope the Seahawks stomp that other team who shall remain nameless since i despise them so much. 😉 Have a super weekend. If you like sports, you should have lots to enjoy with the Olympics and the SB.
Wow, I had never thought about the time, precision and skill it would take to make that kind of painting with tiny dots. Thanks for a look at these beautiful and timeless paintings. And of Wilson sliding off a log, LOL!
Both of my grooms had to cancel for today, and I’m not sorry that I have a whole weekend to do whatever I want! Yes, we’ll be watching the super bowl, but mainly for the annual Super Bowl junk food I fix!
It was truly amazing especially on some of the larger works. It’s no wonder he went back to ‘conventional’ Impressionism. It would be very time consuming to finish a piece and with a large family he probably realized it wasn’t cost effective.
Enjoy your weekend now that the grooms were cancelled. Enjoy the Super Bowl game and your tasty treats. If the Super Bowl gets too boring, there are the Olympics as well so it’ll be a big weekend for sports.
Oh my, what are sports enthusiast going to do?? (We only watch the Super Bowl for the yummy food we allow ourselves during the game, LOL.)
I think this is why they invented the split screen. 🤣
LOL!!
Love the artwork and YAY for “Figaro” making a comeback! Woo Hoo!
Hugs, Teddy and Mom Pam
Many thanks-glad you enjoyed the art exhibit. We kept thinking Figaro was a goner but I kept watering, fertilizing and hoping for him to come back. Guess he just needs to be gently handled in the autumn because he sure took all the fallen leaves seriously (or maybe in sympathy).
Wow, those grapes do look real! Grapes are so sweet and good.
Aww, Wilson, you look great! Thanks for posing. You are a natural and deserve a gold star 🌟 and some treats. 🙂
The Caribbean painting is my favorite. He was very talented and I love that he valued his family too. Thanks for sharing!
No football here, we may watch it snow more tomorrow but not supposed to amount to much. We will stay warm inside for its supposed to be Bitter Cold 🥶!
Hope you both have a good weekend. 💕
Wilson says thanks. Those grapes were lusciously realistic! His Caribbean painting were particularly impressive since they were painted from memory when he was in Paris!
Try to stay warm. I won’t tell you it’s going to be 60F and sunny all weekend. Nope I won’t do that. Try to have a wagnificent weekend.
Yes, definitely impressive coming from his memory!
Oooh how kind of you not to tell me that. I think your halo is slipping. 😅
Enjoy the weather for me!
😊
If it’s any consolation, its windy as all get out. Sigh.
Sorry about the wind, but thanks for the consolation attempt. 🙂 its windy here too! I am staying warm except when Miss Abby needs to go potty. I need to teach her to use the toilet. 🤣🤣🤣
One word. Dog-door. 😂 Good luck with that training.
LOL! 😃
Beautiful paintings and I am glad Figaro is back. XO
Many thanks. We’re very happy that Figaro is on the road back. Hope you all have a terrific weekend. Stay warm.
I had not heard of this artist, What amazing work he did! Beautiful!
Nice to see Figaro deciding to revive himself!
It looks like that broom was sweeping upon roses?? Or crunched up paper…maybe it was saying please don’t litter!
Thanks, he is one of the lesser known artists of the Impressionist era but he was super influential for the movement. I wasn’t overly familiar with him either but was very glad I went to this exhibit. It was fabulous! And I always smile when I see the sweeping broom and dustpan. I love whimsical sculptures!
We’re very happy to see Figaro survived and is making a comeback. Have a wonderful weekend. Hope your temps will be warming up.
Thanks for taking us along on this tour. I love the artwork and I appreciate the information.
Thanks for coming along with our little tour, Dan. This was a super exhibit and I’m glad I was able to make it before it leaves town. Hope you have a swell weekend!
You too!
Wilson is my little parkour pal and I didn’t even know I loved parkour! Well, that’s because I don’t, unless the boy is involved.
Pisarro created some masterpieces!
As for our weather, cooooooooooooooooold all weekend.
Yikes?
Thanks, Marc. I hadn’t realized how exquisite Pissarro’s paintings were. This was a great exhibit. Wilson is working hard on parkour but some days he’s like, “nope, not today, Mum.” Little floody pill! Sorry about your cool weather, hate to say it, ours will be sunny and in the 60’s all weekend long. 😱 I still can’t wrap my head around these yo-yo temps. Hope the weekend is still fabulous, and I suspect if a ‘certain’ team does not win the Super Bowl, it’ll be just Jim-dandy with you (as it will be for a lot of fans who hate that one team, even without No. 12). 😈
My God are they ever.
That would be me. Every day.
What is going on here! We’re going to be like the North Pole all weekend with gusty gusts to boot. Ugh.
Go Hawks!
Nature is acting like a certain governmental official who sadly bears grudges. Sorry. Just focus on the fact that Spring is set to arrive in 41 days. That’s a definitely a buoying number for my spirits.
Whoever could that be??
41 days . . . Well, in three and a half hours it will be 40 days and yes, every hour is being counted by yours truly at this point.
For now, I’ll just go to the spirits. 😉
I can’t imagine! LOL Here’s to warmer days and more sunshine…STAT.
One more crazy cold night and then a bit more ‘agreeable’ for the rest of the week. Eesh.
Impressionism is my favorite as well. I enjoyed this tour. There are some lovely pieces there. Thanks for taking me along.
Thanks, John. We’re always happy when you accompany us on one of our ‘tours.’ have a terrific weekend.
Great pictures, I love still life paintings, especially miniatures!
Thanks, Lisa. It was a terrific exhibit. It was hard to decide what pics to use. For a while Pissarro was really into still lifes-there was one photo in particular with the most amazing bouquet of flowers I’ve seen in a long time. The colors were just amazing. Hope you have a great weekend.
The artwork is beautiful. I’m lucky enough to live between the NYC Met of Art and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Both have housed fabulous impressionist exhibits over the years. The Barnes Museum is also not to far away but I’ve never made it there. You are lucky to have that!
Many thanks, Kate. You are very fortunate to have both of those cultural icons close enough nearby to your area. I’ve heard good things about the Barnes. Have a wonderful weekend.
Art through the eyes of a dog. Interesting.
Thanks, Jacqui. Despite being a hairy floof, he has discriminating tastes. We hope you have a terrific weekend.
Those are all beautiful paintings, thanks for showing us! Have a fun weekend Wilson and Mom!
Thanks, Terry. It was a terrific exhibit and I’m really glad I went to see it even if there were a jillion folks there. Enjoy your weekend-hope the snow is well on its way to melting.
Looks like a great exhibit. I enjoy Impressionism, too. I haven’t been to a museum in ages… I’ll have to attend to that! Have a great weekend!
It was such a worthwhile exhibit. I’m glad I was able to see it. There are a few upcoming exhibits that I definitely am planning on seeing. Hope your weekend is full of sunshine and warmer temps.
I wish… snowstorm tonight and tomorrow, followed by wind and the coldest temps of the season. Oh boy! 😀
So very sorry. Stay safe and warm.
🙏🏼
There was not one picture that I didn’t enjoy completely.
Aww, you’re just too kind, Carole. Glad you enjoyed the pics. It was hard to decide which ones should be used. Wilson and I hope you have a marvelous weekend!
Our favorite thing is that last shot of the giant dustpan and broom, how cool is that? Mom likes the grapes painting the best of all. As a kid her family traveled all around the world and she had to endure too many museums and paintings so she isn’t big on them. It does look like an interesting place to visit, though. Have a great weekend entertaining.
Wasn’t it a hoot? So whimsical. Whenever I drive past the museum, I always look for that installation. Let me tell you, those grapes looked good enough to eat! Whenever any Impressionists are being shown, I try to make their exhibits. I absolutely love their painting. Have a pawtastic weekend!
The sculpture of the broom and dustpan made me snort out loud. I spend so much time sweeping up kitty litter and those tools – too funny. And I love the impressionists as well. Got to visit Monet’s Giverny many years ago. Utterly magical.
Oh wow, I can’t even imagine how magical Giverny was. The last Impressionist exhibit I saw at the museum was Monet and the photos and painting were amazing. I cannot imagine being there in person.
I love the dustpan and hand broom-it always cracks me up whenever pass by. Have a wonderful weeked!
Giverny looked just like Monet’s paintings. Wonderful place to visit. Weekend is super cold…hopefully some more seasonal temps on the way next week. Spring can’t come soon enough.
Here’s hoping the temps greatly improve. It nice here but very windy which is concerning since a vegetation fire started a few miles away. I just hope it can get under control in these very windy conditions.
P.S. Ok, I’m officially jealous of your Giverny visit. 🙂
Maybe you will get to go to Giverny someday. Worth the trip. Winds are wild here as well, making temps in the low teens feel like they are below zero. Should start improving Monday, so they say.
Denver housing that exhibition – you must have some well connected people to have had that pleasure!
I’m off to London at the end of the month….I’ll be just wallowing in exhibitions and concerts while there!
The museum is a crown jewel in town and has hosted several exclusive exhibits, especially after a major renovation and additional build out of space. It’s quite the museum with apparently good connections in the art world. Denver has a successful track record of getting bond issues passed for cultural projects. Have a wonderful trip to London and enjoy all that fabulous culture! I’m quite jealous.
Thanks, I thought the same thing! They were so realistic. Have a pawtastic weekend.
we love the grapes, they really look as if we could eat them… ;O) have a good furryday and a good weekend