Cézanne and Renoir: Looking at the World – Masterpieces from the Musée de l’Orangerie and the Musée d’Orsay

EVENT DESCRIPTION

The 19th to the early 20th century was a period of unprecedented societal prosperity in France, coinciding with the development of industrialisation and modernisation in Europe. As the world capital of culture at the time, Paris saw the emergence of a group of artists that revolutionised with their liberated pursuit of artistic creation and use of innovative techniques. Known as the Impressionists, these artists sought to break free from the confines of classicism in the tradition of art, opting instead to capture fleeting moments of everyday life in response to the rapid developments in society.

Among the Impressionists, Paul Cézanne (1839 – 1906) and Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841 – 1919) stood out as icons of the art movement. From the 1860s in Paris, they developed a lasting friendship characterised by mutual admiration, supporting each other throughout their artistic careers. The two men followed distinct trajectories, with Cézanne focusing on rigour and geometry, laying the foundation for modern art movements in the 20th century, most notably Cubism; while Renoir emphasised harmony and delicacy, establishing himself as a key figure in Impressionism. Both artists and their distinctive styles left a profound influence on the next generation of avant-garde artists, including Spanish art master Pablo Picasso (1881 – 1973).

In collaboration with the Musée de l’Orangerie and the Musée d’Orsay, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department proudly presents “The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Cézanne and Renoir Looking at the World – Masterpieces from the Musée de l’Orangerie and the Musée d’Orsay”. This exhibition features 52 priceless masterpieces from two of the most prestigious art museums in Paris, bringing to Hong Kong national treasures of France that are adored by audiences worldwide. The exhibits serve as testament to the remarkable artistic achievements of Cézanne and Renoir, highlighting the intersections in their careers. The exhibition also showcases two invaluable artworks from Picasso to demonstrate how the two Impressionists’ innovation inspired the next generation of great masters.

The Hong Kong Museum of Art is dedicated to creating a world of contrasts, offering audiences fresh perspectives to appreciate various arts and cultures. This exhibition not only allows audiences to explore Cézanne and Renoir’s anecdotes and deep friendship from a new angle through simulated dialogues between the two masters, a footprint map, and an animation that chronicles their lives, but also invites Hong Kong artists Trevor Yeung and Lai Kwan-ting to draw inspiration from the works of these two masters and reinterpret Cézanne’s and Renoir’s art through their own new creations.