Impressionism: American Gardens on Canvas (2016): Home

May 14 - September 11, 2016

The Major Exhibition of 2016, Impressionism: American Gardens on Canvas, features an Interpretation of an Impressionist Garden and more than Twenty American Impressionist Paintings of Garden Subjects

The Garden-wide exhibition Impressionism: American Gardens on Canvas explores the interaction of the American gardening movement at the turn-of-the-20th century with the work of the American Impressionist painters. Opened on May 14 2016 and on view through September 11, 2016, The New York Botanical Garden’s exhibition included both American Impressionist works of art and a horticultural exhibition recreating the Colonial Revival, cottage garden style popular in that time period and featured in Impressionist paintings. The exhibition was guest curated by distinguished art historian Linda S. Ferber, Ph.D.

The LuEsther T. Mertz Library’s Art Gallery at the Garden exhibited exquisite artworks by well-known American Impressionists including William Merritt Chase, Childe Hassam, and John Singer Sargent. Paintings of outdoor scenes in private gardens, public parks, and rural art colonies highlighted the Impressionists' engagement with the natural world and the art of gardening. Sculptures by contemporaries of the Impressionists designed as garden decorations complemented the paintings.

In the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, a design by Francisca P. Coelho, Vivian and Edward Merrin Vice President for Glasshouses and Exhibitions at the Garden, reimagined the rural cottage gardens that were popular with artist-gardeners in this time period and that were prominently featured in the paintings on display in the Gallery. The garden design was partially inspired by the work of Celia Thaxter, poet, artist, and salon hostess, whose home and hotel on Appledore Island off the coast of New Hampshire was a special gathering place for artists including Childe Hassam.

In collaboration with the Poetry Society of America, a poetry walk and accompanying audio tour featured the work of Celia Thaxter and other leading poets of the era, including Robert Frost and Amy Lowell. In the Everett Children's Adventure Garden, children engaged with the exhibition through art-making activities and a 19th century-style playhouse. Complementary Garden programming throughout the summer celebrated the poetry, music, and film of this period, including an evening concert series.