'The simultaneous viewing of various images is an uncommon opportunity': 'Goya to Impressionism' exhibition opens at The Courtauld
Oskar Reinhart, a renowned Swiss art collector, is renowned for assembling an impressive collection of European paintings, including works by Édouard Manet. One of the highlights of his collection, "Au Café," originally painted by Manet, is part of the Oskar Reinhart Collection, located in Winterthur, Switzerland[2][3].
Reinhart's relentless pursuit for "Au Café" spanned over three decades, a testament to his dedication as a collector of modern and classical European art[4]. His collection, which primarily consists of 19th and 20th-century painters, primarily Impressionists and post-Impressionists, is renowned and has been exhibited publicly, reflecting his significant role in preserving such artworks[2][3][5].
The exhibition, "'Goya to Impressionism: Masterpieces from the Oskar Reinhart Collection'", is currently on display at The Courtauld Gallery until May 26. The exhibition features a selection of Reinhart's works, including four paintings by Renoir, "A Bar at the Folies-Bergère" by Manet, and "Still life with Faience Jug and Fruit" by Cezanne, among others[1][6].
Cezanne's painting features a glorious burst of oranges and yellows, while "Still life with Faience Jug and Fruit" depicts a woman, an impressively mustachioed man, and a third figure[6]. The exhibition also includes Goya's dark still life, centered on three thick, disquieting salmon steaks, and an early example of Picasso's Blue Period, a portrait of a man named Mateu Fernández de Soto[1][7].
Two works by Van Gogh, painted while he was at the hospital in Arles, are part of the exhibition, including "The Courtyard of the Hospital at Arles," which was fresh from the Van Gogh exhibition at the National Gallery, and "Self-Portrait with a Bandaged Ear," which sheds light on the reason he ended up at the hospital[1][8].
The exhibition also unearthed a discovery from the Reinhart archives, revealing that Oskar Reinhart and Courtauld had met once in their lifetime[9]. This is the first time a group of highlights from Reinhart's collection leaves Switzerland, making this exhibition a unique opportunity for art enthusiasts to witness these masterpieces[10].
Reinhart bequeathed his villa and paintings to the Swiss Confederation to make it into a museum, ensuring that his collection would continue to inspire and educate future generations[11]. The exhibition at The Courtauld Gallery is a testament to Reinhart's legacy and his commitment to preserving and sharing these masterpieces with the world.
[1] https://www.thecourtauld.ac.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/goya-to-impressionism-masterpieces-from-the-oskar-reinhart-collection [2] https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/manet-au-cafe-t07923 [3] https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.161000.html [4] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-56659057 [5] https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-oskar-reinhart-and-the-art-of-collecting [6] https://www.thecourtauld.ac.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/goya-to-impressionism-masterpieces-from-the-oskar-reinhart-collection/exhibition-highlights [7] https://www.thecourtauld.ac.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/goya-to-impressionism-masterpieces-from-the-oskar-reinhart-collection/exhibition-highlights/picasso-mateu-fernandez-de-soto-1904 [8] https://www.thecourtauld.ac.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/goya-to-impressionism-masterpieces-from-the-oskar-reinhart-collection/exhibition-highlights/van-gogh-the-courtyard-of-the-hospital-at-arles-1889 [9] https://www.thecourtauld.ac.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/goya-to-impressionism-masterpieces-from-the-oskar-reinhart-collection/background [10] https://www.thecourtauld.ac.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/goya-to-impressionism-masterpieces-from-the-oskar-reinhart-collection/about [11] https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/oskar-reinhart-and-his-art-collection-a-legacy-for-switzerland/45071556
Honoring Oskar Reinhart's impressive collection, which spans from home-and-garden decor items to priceless European paintings, the exhibition "'Goya to Impressionism: Masterpieces from the Oskar Reinhart Collection'" has placed various works on display at The Courtauld Gallery, showcasing Reinhart's dedication to cultivating a lifestyle steeped in art.
In keeping with Reinhart's legacy, the villa and paintings he bequeathed to the Swiss Confederation continue to serve as a haven for artistic appreciation and education, ensuring that his profound home-and-garden atmosphere and exquisite collection live on for future generations.
