The exhibition explores how each of these artists navigated complex personal and professional networks in order to create and exhibit their art. It highlights their collective desire to make modern art and shows how they interpreted the evolving idea of Impressionism in individual ways.
Impressionist artists are renowned for using friends and family members as models. This is especially so for women Impressionists, who had relatively restricted access to professional models and social spaces. In the intimacy of homes and gardens, they painted their mothers, sisters, children, nieces and nephews.
Ordrupgaard, Denmark, has devised the exhibition. The National Gallery is the only partner venue for this project.