Lancaster Art Vault celebrates 150 Years of the Impressionist Movement with Christiane David.

In 1874, a revolutionary moment in art history took place in the Paris studio of Nadar. Thirty-one trailblazing artists, including Monet, Renoir, Degas, Morisot, Pissarro, Sisley, and Cezanne, united to present their work in an independent exhibition—an audacious response to their rejection by the official Paris Salon. This event marked the birth of Impressionism, a movement that forever changed the art world.

Driven by a desire to break free from the constraints of academic studio painting, these artists began to explore new avenues of expression. Embracing the latest innovations, such as portable oil paints, they ventured outdoors to capture spontaneous “on-the-spot” impressions of everyday life. Through their use of delicate, visible brushstrokes, unusual visual angles and unique perspectives, they depicted movement and the passage of time through the changing qualities of light.  Through these new technologies and advancements, they earned their title as the Masters of Light.

Christiane David retraced the steps of these iconic pioneers, visiting those iconic landmarks of the impressionist movement. Her journey through Normandy wasv filled with painting, sketching, and visiting exhibitions at landmarks central to the Impressionist legacy. The adventure also included stops in Bruges, Ghent, and Brussels, where they will gather inspiration and treasures.

In this exhibit, Christiane David showcases the fruits of this creative pilgrimage at the Lancaster Art Vault. The exhibition features many of her Plein Air artworks created during this trip, as well as earlier pieces, photographs, and live demonstrations.

We warmly invite you to view this extraordinary celebration of Impressionism and artistic exploration by Christiane David.