Fairs, fests, exhibitions, art shows and the like have long been a place where new art styles, schools, have been displayed. One which is worthy of great attention and which gets short shrift at time is the Paris Exhibition of 1900. The Boulder Art Fest, in its final day today, Sunday, is a chance to see a wide variety of styles of art, and is a real treat to the eyes!

The Paris exhibition around the turn of the early 20th century, specifically the Exposition Universelle of 1900, was a landmark event in the history of art. This world’s fair was held to celebrate the achievements of the past century and to accelerate development into the next. Among its many displays, the exhibition featured one of the first major public showcases of Impressionist art, which had been developing since the 1870s but had struggled for mainstream acceptance. This Exposition brought impressionism to masses of people, more than hiding the works in small yet famous displays of the new art.

Here’s the Boulder Art Fest in the style of Pissarro, on of the greatest of the impressionists.

Impressionism, characterized by its use of light, color, and everyday subject matter, was initially met with skepticism and criticism from traditional art institutions and critics. The artists associated with this movement, including Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, and Camille Pissarro, often faced rejection from the official Salon, the annual art exhibition of the Académie des Beaux-Arts in Paris.

While perhaps unusual in some places, in Boulder, a mall of ballet dancers in the style of Degas would not be that out of the ordinary.

The 1900 Exposition Universelle marked a significant shift in the art world’s reception of Impressionism. Held from April 15 to November 12, 1900, the fair attracted millions of visitors from around the world. Among its many pavilions and exhibitions, the art section included a dedicated space for modern French painting, which prominently featured works by the Impressionists. This inclusion signaled a growing recognition and validation of their contributions to the art world.

While some of the impressionists were more realistic, others were far more abstract. One of my favorites is Van Gogh (pronounced Van Choch, and NOT Van Goch). BOTH “g’s” are guttural, not just the second. Many insist on saying “Van Goch” and are certain that they are emulating Dutch. They are better off simply saying “Van Go.”  Yes, this is a pet peeve and a very common mispronunciation. The G’s are like “Bach.” NOT like “Garage.” Here’s a guide to saying this genius’s name in Dutch. English is Van Go.

• “fɑn” sounds like “fahn” (with a soft “a” as in “father”)

“xɔx” represents the guttural “kh” sound used in Dutch, similar to the “ch” in the German word “Bach”

Not all of his paintings are in this most famous “swirly” style, but it is perhaps the most easily recognized.

Visitors to the Exposition Universelle were able to see firsthand the revolutionary techniques of the Impressionists. The movement’s emphasis on capturing the effects of light and atmosphere, often painting en plein air (outdoors), contrasted sharply with the more rigid and detailed styles of the academic art that had dominated the previous century. The loose brushwork, vibrant colors, and focus on contemporary life and landscapes were now being celebrated as innovative and important.

While this “Renoir” is over-emphasizing his style, it is fun, a good example of impressionism as opposed to realism, and after all, I love color!

The 1900 exhibition helped solidify the status of Impressionism as a major force in the art world. It provided a platform for the movement’s artists to reach a broader audience and to gain the critical and commercial success that had previously eluded them. The fair’s embrace of Impressionism also influenced future generations of artists and laid the groundwork for subsequent modern art movements.

Overall, the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1900 was a pivotal moment for Impressionism, transforming it from a fringe movement into a celebrated and influential style. This exhibition not only showcased the beauty and innovation of Impressionist art but also marked a broader acceptance and appreciation of modern artistic expression.

Lenny Lensworth Frieling

Shared Knowledge Is Power!

Leonard Frieling Pen Of Justice

• Multi-published and syndicated blogger and author.
• University lectures at University. of Colorado, Boulder, Denver University Law School, Univ. of New Mexico, Las Vegas NM, and many other schools at all levels. Numerous lectures for the NORML Legal Committee
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