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Photos: Dazzling Flowers That Inspired American Painters On Display At NYBG
By
Jen Chung
Published May 13, 2016
Modified May 13, 2016
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By
Jen Chung
Published May 13, 2016
Modified May 13, 2016
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A glorious new New York Botanical Garden exhibit showcases the gardens and flowers seen in works by American impressionist painters, like John Singer Sargent and Childe Hassam. Besides the truly breathtaking display of flora—plus a New England-style porch you can gaze upon the greenery from—there are paintings on display as well for American Impressionism.
The garden notes:
In the late 1890s through 1910s, a historical art movement emerged as a result of post war industrialization and rapid urbanization of American cities. At home, the notion of the great frontier was waning, as industry brought about a quicker and more efficient way of life. Americans began to yearn for a return to a more natural environment in midst of a growing technological society and reconnect with the notion of the pastoral. Those that had the luxury to do so, beautified their domestic spaces through gardening, creating intimate spaces to escape modern life. Garden havens were frequently found in artist colonies that in turn nurtured painting, sculpture, and poetry into a flourishing cultural movement that was closely tied to the cultivated landscape. Artists captured picturesque displays of leisure, manicured gardens, and enthusiasm for the floral oasis.
Many New York City artists of the past would escape to the country—for instance, Matilda Browne and William Chadwick went to Florence Griswold's Old Lyme, Connecticut home, which Griswold turned into an artists' retreat. It became known as "American Giverny," a reference to Claude Monet's famous home.
Foxgloves, hollyhocks, poppies, peonies, water lilies and many more varieties will greet you. American Impressionism opens tomorrow and runs through September 11; there are also many events planned.
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Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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