Claude Monet: Rising Tide at Pourville (1881)

I have been blogging lately about a Japanese philosophy that goes by the name of Wabi-Sabi. It celebrates impermanence, the here and now. Is this not exactly what impressionism does too? Both disciplines found truth and beauty in the ordinary, mundane, and fleeting experiences that traditionally had been discarded as of no consequence. The Impressonists, like practitioners of Wabi-Sabi knew better.

Pierre-Auguste renoir: Still Life with Blue Cup (1900)

I recently attended a wonderful exhibit at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, it displayed magnificent works of art by expressionists and others from its own collection, temporarily loaned works, and a large number of works owned by the Brooklyn Museum. Often hyped,  exhibits splash prominent names of artists but deliver a paltry plate of vittles. This was not like that. I am no expert, but I thought it was an outstanding display of modern art.

Henri de Fantin-Latour: Bouquet of Mixed Flower with Zinnias and Dahlias  in a Bowl (1865)

The exhibit was called, French Moderns: Monet to Matisse, 1850-1950 and contained works of arts from many of the great artists of the 19^thand 20^thcenturies including Cezanne, Monet, Degas, Manet, Renoir, Matisse and many more.