The Courtauld Gallery's new exhibition, "Goya to Impressionism: Masterpieces from the Oskar Reinhart Collection (with the generous support of Kenneth C. Griffin), runs from February 14th to May 26th, 2025. It marks a momentous occasion as a significant portion of one of Switzerland's most important art collections is displayed outside of its home at the Oskar Reinhart Collection 'Am Römerholz' in Winterthur for the first time in its history. This is a unique opportunity to witness a compelling overview of art history, featuring iconic works by renowned artists such as Goya, Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Picasso, and Cézanne. Admission is free for members of the Courtauld Friends, while non-members can experience this extraordinary exhibition for £14.
Samuel Courtauld, founder of The Courtauld Institute of Art, shared a similar taste in artists with Oskar Reinhart (the two are known to have met in 1932). This shared passion for Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art creates a compelling resonance between the exhibition and the Courtauld's own collection, making this a truly special event for art enthusiasts.
Oskar Reinhart, born into affluence as the scion of a prominent Swiss trading family, embarked on a lifelong pursuit of art collecting. Inspired by his father's love of art, young Oskar embarked on a lifelong passion for collecting, amassing an extraordinary collection that reflects both his discerning taste and the broader artistic currents of his time.
Reinhart was not content to simply acquire art; he believed in sharing his treasures with the world. He saw it as his duty to "serve others with my knowledge, my work and my possessions," establishing a public art gallery in Switzerland and ultimately bequeathing his entire collection and villa to the Swiss Confederation upon his death in 1965.
The exhibition at the Courtauld Gallery presents a carefully curated selection of 25 paintings from the Reinhart Collection, many of which have never been loaned for exhibition before. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of European art from the late 18th to the early 20th century, showcasing the transition from Romanticism to Impressionism and the diverse artistic expressions that emerged in between.
The exhibition opens with a compelling selection of pre-Impressionist works, including Goya's evocative Still Life with Three Salmon Steaks (c.1808-12), Géricault's poignant portrayal of mental illness in A Man Suffering from Delusions of Military Rank (c.1819-22), and Courbet's daringly sensual The Hammock (1844). These works, with their dramatic flair and evocative themes, pave the way for the revolutionary innovations of the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists.
The exhibition then explodes with some of the most celebrated masterpieces of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism. Manet's Au Café (1878) offers a glimpse into the bustling social life of modern Paris, while Renoir's sensational works capture the fleeting beauty of everyday moments with vibrant colors and loose brushwork. A particular highlight is the unprecedented pairing of two celebrated paintings by Van Gogh, A Ward in the Hospital at Arles and The Courtyard of the Hospital at Arles (1889), displayed together for the first time. These poignant works, painted during Van Gogh's stay at the hospital in Arles following his mental breakdown, offer a unique insight into the artist's inner turmoil and his enduring fascination with light and color.
The exhibition culminates with Picasso's Portrait of Mateu Fernández de Soto, an early example of the artist's Blue Period. Recent investigation by the Courtauld, using advanced imaging technology, has revealed a hidden female portrait beneath the surface. This discovery sheds new light on Picasso's working methods and his tendency to reuse canvases, adding another layer of intrigue to this already fascinating work.
The period between Goya and the Impressionists witnessed a flourishing of artistic movements that shaped the course of European art. Romanticism, with its emphasis on emotion, individualism, and the sublime, emerged in the late 18th century as a reaction against the Enlightenment's focus on reason and order. Goya, for example, embodied the Romantic spirit in his dramatic compositions and exploration of dark themes, as seen in his unsettling Still Life with Three Salmon Steaks.
Realism, which gained prominence in the mid-19th century, sought to depict the world as it was, with an emphasis on everyday life and social commentary. Artists like Courbet, with his unflinching portrayal of ordinary people and controversial subjects, challenged the traditional hierarchies of art and paved the way for the Impressionists' focus on modernity.
These movements, while distinct in their approaches, shared a common thread of challenging artistic conventions and exploring new ways of seeing and representing the world. They laid the groundwork for the Impressionists' revolution in painting, which would forever change the course of art history.
The "Goya to Impressionism" exhibition offers a captivating array of masterpieces, each with its own unique story to tell. From the raw emotion of Goya's still life to the vibrant energy of Toulouse-Lautrec's portrayal of Parisian nightlife, the exhibition provides a compelling look at the evolution of artistic styles and the human experience.
The "Goya to Impressionism" exhibition showcases a fascinating evolution of artistic techniques, reflecting the changing styles and sensibilities of European art over the course of the 19th century. Goya, a master of both painting and printmaking, employed a variety of techniques to create his powerful and expressive works. He was a skilled draftsman, and his paintings often feature precise lines and meticulous detail, particularly in his portraits. He also experimented with etching and aquatint, techniques that allowed him to create tonal variations and atmospheric effects in his prints. Goya's use of light and shadow is particularly noteworthy, often creating dramatic contrasts that heighten the emotional impact of his works, as seen in his Still Life with Three Salmon Steaks.
The Impressionists, emerging in the mid-19th century, revolutionized painting with their innovative techniques. They embraced the use of broken color, applying small, distinct dabs of pure color to the canvas and allowing the viewer's eye to blend them optically. This technique created a sense of vibrancy and luminosity, capturing the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere. The Impressionists also favored impasto, applying thick layers of paint to create texture and depth. Their brushwork was often loose and spontaneous, conveying a sense of immediacy and capturing the essence of a moment in time. Perhaps most importantly, the Impressionists championed the practice of en plein air painting, taking their canvases outdoors to directly observe and capture the changing nuances of natural light.
The "Goya to Impressionism" exhibition is a significant event in the art world, offering a rare opportunity to see masterpieces from the Oskar Reinhart Collection outside of Switzerland. The exhibition provides a unique perspective on the development of art history, showcasing the transition from Romanticism to Impressionism and the enduring legacy of these artistic movements. It also sheds light on the shared passion for art between Oskar Reinhart and Samuel Courtauld, two prominent collectors of their time.
For art enthusiasts, the exhibition offers a chance to experience the power and beauty of these iconic works firsthand. The exhibition also provides insights into the world of art patronage and the importance of such collections to art history.
"Goya to Impressionism: Masterpieces from the Oskar Reinhart Collection" is likely to be a highlight for anyone with a passion for art and an appreciation for the finer things in life. The Courtauld Gallery has curated a captivating and informative experience that not only showcases iconic works by renowned artists but also provides a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of artistic styles and the enduring legacy of these movements.
The exhibition's significance extends beyond the individual masterpieces on display. It offers a rare opportunity to appreciate the vision of Oskar Reinhart, a discerning collector who dedicated his life to amassing and sharing his extraordinary collection. The exhibition catalogue, with its exploration of Reinhart's life and collecting habits, provides further insight into the world of art patronage and the importance of such collections to art history.
Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of masterpieces. Visit "Goya to Impressionism" at the Courtauld Gallery and experience the enduring power of art to transcend time and connect us to the past, present, and future.