A favourite amongst many masterworks
Across the Bored had the privilege of visiting the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts to see the French Impressionist collection currently on tour courtesy of the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Consisting of four relatively small spaces whose walls were hung with the cream of the Impressionist crop, this exhibition was filled to capacity at the time of our visit. Nonetheless, the works on display are truly jaw-dropping.
Now, here comes the but – we were acting as field-trip chaperone for a group of grade 9 students from a friend’s art class…
Although well-behaved, polite, reasonably responsive (for 14 year-olds) and happy to have the afternoon off, only about 10% of them had any idea of what they were about to see. This wasn’t for lack of preparation on their teacher’s part but rather that they just didn’t care… Luckily, we had a lovely tour guide who not only knew fascinating details about the paintings presented but also had the magical gift of keeping the group relatively engaged for what could have been a very long hour otherwise. The only time she cringed was when one student kept repeating “Is it real?”
The temptation to blurt out “NO, it’s a digital reproduction – it’s a knock-off made in CHINA and you can get one in the gift shop” was great.
Afterwards, as they all sat on the stairs of the museum foyer, we made the mistake of asking them if they had liked their visit. Blank faces. Really? Well, what type of art did they like? “Music art”, “Dance art”… what? Do you mean like Warhol, Richard Hamilton or Banksy? Blank faces.
Here is what they did like…
OK, so it’s cute…
Didn’t get a chance to look at the date on this installation but it sure has echoes of Brazilian design team, Fernando and Humberto Campana’s 2002 Banquete chair…
Where is the snake?
Oh well, looks like we will be going back to the Museum. Solo this time.
More to look at:
Impressionism
Impressionist Masterpieces from the Clark Collection
Giovanni Boldini
Claude Monet
Edgar Degas
Statement Furniture: Fernando & Humberto Campana – RETROSPECT
ACROSS THE BORED 
I like Boldini’s painting very much!
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The feeling behind it is still so current – I wish they highlighted him more when teaching about impressionism…
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It would be interesting to eavesdrop on your group as they wandered through the art. Solo might be a good idea
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I did! Most of it was about typical social teenager stuff, who likes who, who is “so awful”, alot of texting between groups (really?) and those phones always in their hands. Always the same few commented about the art to the guide and even fewer were talking about it TO each other… so sad. Like puppies, they seem to live (only) in the moment… A solo trip is a must!
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