On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the first Impressionist exhibition, the Musée d'Orsay is lending to the town of Douai an emblematic work by Claude Monet: "La Rue Montorgueil, in Paris. Celebration of June 30, 1878".
This masterpiece will be visible at the Chartreuse museum from March 27 to June 24 and its exhibition will be an opportunity to show the public a varied collection of paintings, sculptures and pastels collected by Henri Duhem.
Henri Duhem (1860-1941), native of Douai, was deeply influenced by the work of Claude Monet. Despite his initial background in law and his profession as a lawyer, his true passion lies in art. He trained in painting alongside Émile Breton, then explored watercolor under the tutelage of Henri Harpignies. It was in Paris that he met the Impressionists, this revolutionary artistic movement which would profoundly mark his career. Duhem then positioned himself as a pioneer by introducing the innovative aesthetics of the Impressionists to the North of France, thus establishing a collection of considerable importance.
This exceptional exhibition offers a unique opportunity to retrace the history of impressionism in Flanders through the rich collections of the Chartreuse museum. By highlighting the often overlooked contribution of Henri Duhem to the dissemination and recognition of Impressionism, it also allows us to discover the endearing personality of this scholar and passionate collector. By uniting the works of Monet and his contemporaries, this exhibition celebrates not only a revolutionary artistic movement, but also the lasting legacy left by those who ardently supported and defended it.
Duhem's immersion in the circle of impressionists profoundly and lastingly influenced his own artistic work. This influence is particularly reflected in a series of captivating Douaisian landscapes with their play of light and vibrant atmospheres.
Monet's famous "Rue Montorgueil" became one of the inspiring visual sources for his own painting: "Rue de l'Université pavoisée".
But Duhem's artistic legacy is not limited to his own creation. As president of acquisitions at the Douai museum for forty years, from the late 1890s to the 1930s, he worked ardently to enrich local collections. Under its aegis, the museum hosts remarkable works by major artists such as Auguste Renoir, Alfred Sisley, Camille Pissarro, Jean-François Raffaëlli, and many others.
Musée de la Chartreuse de Douai
130 rue des Chartreux
59500 Douai
L'impressionnisme à Douai
Du 27 mars au 24 juin
Renseignements: 07 87 00 91 65
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