The greatest exponents of Romanticism, Realism, Impressionism and the Post-Impressionism Movements are brought together in this terrific Ordrupgaard Collection. The exhibition takes place at Palazzo Zabarella (Padua), one of only four venues selected for this occasion, before the Collection returns to the newly renovated Ordrupgaard Museum in Copenhagen.

The singularity of this Collection is the fact that it makes it possible to admire masterpieces of artists such as Delacroix, Courot, Sisley, Courbet, Daubigny, Pissarro, Manet, Renoir, Degas, but also Gauguin, Cézanne and Matisse. That means we can find 156 exclusive works collected between 1916 and 1918 that tell the entire story of French art!

The Ordrupgaard Collection originated thanks to Wilhelm Hansen and his passion for French art, developed during his journeys to Paris for business purposes. Indeed, Hansen was a banker, insurer, philanthropist and State Councilor. In 1915, he started working on the foundation of an Association of collectors interested in purchasing French artwork in Denmark. Between 1916 and 1918, he managed to complete the Collection with the support of his wife and Théodore Duret, an art critic. This Collection was considered one of the best of Impressionism artwork in the world.

After the failure of the private Danish bank (1922), Hansen had to sell the masterpieces of his French collection. However, in 1931, he decided to recreate his former Collection with an objective of owning 12 works for each exposed artist. It was an ambitious goal he never reached, but in any case, this did not prevent him from recreating a unique Collection. After the death of Wilhelm Hansen, his wife Henny ceded the Collection to the Danish State and it was finally opened to the public.

The Collection that you see here proposes a number of portraits to the visitor (“George Sand”, “Woman With a Jug”, “Portrait of a Romanian Woman”), everyday life representations (“Women Bathing”, “Woman Combing Her Hair”, “Le Moulin de la Galette”, “The Wine Harvest”), urban landscapes (“St. Saint-Honoré” and “St. San Lazare”), river landscapes and woods (“Banks of the Seine”, “A Clearing in the Woods”, “Blue Trees”) and many more.

I believe that the exhibition was more enjoyable thanks to the support of an audio-guide. It allowed a better comprehension of all the hidden details in a clear and suggestive way, that would have otherwise slipped by an enthusiastic visitor; however, if you prefer to enjoy this charming exhibition without any support, just remember the following- you must take a step back to fully admire the masterpieces of Impressionism and Gauguin!

 

Opening hours:  9:30 am – 7:00 pm, from Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Mondays)

Special openings: 1st November, 8th and 26th December, 1st and 6th January

Where: Palazzo Zabarella, via degli Zabarella 14 (Padua)

Tickets: full price 13€,  reduced-price 11€, special reduced-price 7€, open ticket 16€,

Further info and ticket reservations: Palazzo Zabarella

 

Copyright photos: padovaoggi.it, ordrupgaard.dk