This summer Philadelphia’s Barnes Foundation is offering visitors a unique glimpse into its French paintings. Taking advantage of the need to move artwork from 12 galleries during a floor refinishing project, the Foundation has created a new exhibition that does not follow the strictures established by Dr. Barnes in his will creating the museum.
Under the curating leadership of Cindy Kang, a select 55 French impressionist paintings from those galleries now appear in thematically arranged displays. Gone, for this summer, are the “ensembles” designed by Barnes to place disparate carvings, paintings, and other works in dialogue with one another in the museum’s crowded rooms.
Kang titled the exhibit “From Paris to Provence: French Paintings at the Barnes.” Her aim, she explains, “is to show how particular places — with their distinctive landscapes, lights, and people — shaped the work of each artist.”
The exhibit is divided into what is called sections, of which there are five. The first presents paintings created in Paris and northern France. Kang has selected a stellar collection of French impressionists at the time: Cezanne, Cousin, Degas, Manet, Monet, Seurat, Renoir, and van Gogh. Of the 19 paintings here, Renoir predominates with seven.
The second section is titled “Moving to the South of France.” Here four van Gogh paintings stand out. To buttress the concept of light on the creation of a painting, Kang had these paintings placed on a wall colored in shades of Provence’s warm sunlight.
Van Gogh’s famous “The Postman” is placed here. The subject was indeed a postman who worked at the Arles train station. While van Gogh painted six portraits of this man, the portrait at the Barnes is believed to be the only one signed. When it returns to its mandatory placement in the museum, Kang said, it will once more be stuffed in a corner.
The Barnes’ collection includes the world’s largest group of paintings by Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Paul Cezanne. While, as noted above, works from both artists are included in this summer’s exhibition, those by Cezanne, Kang says, are the heart of the show.
Sections 3 and 4 then are devoted to Cezanne. In Section 3, titled “Cezanne in Provence,” one can admire nine of his works, including that of Mont Sainte-Victoire as well four of his depictions of bathers.
Section 4 presents 10 paintings illustrating scenes and people associated with Jas de Bouffan, his family’s estate in Provence. Kang emphasized that the floor refinishing project provides the only opportunity to bring these paintings together.
To give even further background on Cezanne’s Provence work, there are photographs of the family’s mansion. One illustrates a high corner structure with a north-facing window on top of the mansion. This studio was a gift from Cezanne’s father, enabling the painter to fully capture the area’s light. There, he painted numerous still lifes and flower groupings, five of which are in this section.
The last section highlights immigrant artists in Paris. Works by Modigliani and de Chirico (Italian), Soutine (Russian), and Miro (Spanish) are displayed.
In this writer’s opinion, it is such a special treat to view these beautifully presented art works without the constrictions of Barnes’ will. Time is short, however, as the exhibition closes August 31 and will never be repeated.
From Paris to Provence: French Paintings at the Barnes, The Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia. On view through August 31, Thursdays through Mondays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.barnesfoundation.org or 215-278-7000.
A note on logistics: With the union strike being held as this article is written, it is probably most convenient to drive. Parking at the Foundation is “first come, first served.” If the lot is full, there are several nearby places. Check out www.parking.com for further information.
With regard to trains, Amtrak provides direct connections to Philadelphia from Princeton Junction and Trenton. NJ transit trains end at Trenton, where one can walk across the platform and board a Septa train (when there is not a strike).
The Barnes offers frequent tours, for up to 10 guests, of its exhibits and collections. Call to check on costs and any needed reservations. On August 3, there will be a Free Sunday program offered.
