GLASGOW City Council’s decision to lend works from the Burrell Collection to the twin city of Marseilles is proving a tremendous success in the French port.
A show of 58 works from the Burrell, mostly paintings by late 19th century French artists, have gone on show in the Musée Cantini in Marseilles – it marks the first time any of these Burrell art works have been seen outside of the UK.
The show opened at the weekend to great critical acclaim, with features in many of the newspapers and magazines that circulate in the south of France.
The Burrell loan, entitled Courbet, Degas, Cézanne... Chefs-d’oeuvre réalistes et impressionistes de la collection Burrell (Realist and Impressionist masterworks from the Burrell Collection), is the museum’s first exhibition since reopening.
As one critic noted: “The exhibition includes an impressive range of artists – Boudin, Cézanne, Corot, Courbet, Daubigny, Daumier, Degas, Manet, Millet, Pissarro and Sisley, however what is even more astonishing is that none of these paintings have been seen in France since the time of their acquisition.”
The arch-collector Sir William Burrell was known for his love of French 19th century art, and the works on display are worth tens of millions of Euros or Pounds Sterling.
The highlight of the show for many is the only work on display by Paul Cézanne, The Château of Médan.
Painted around 1880 it is shown in the artist’s home region for the first time since Burrell bought it.
Artdaily stated: “An acknowledged masterpiece, the painting is all the more breath-taking because of its historic associations. Once owned by Paul Gaugin who admired its adventurous composition and use of colour, it depicts the house of Émile Zola, possibly the most prominent French novelist of the late 19th century.”
At the opening, Lord Provost Eva Bolander said: “The Burrell Collection has inspired millions of visitors to the City of Glasgow.
“Now the Burrell’s exceptional collection of French paintings is to be shown overseas for the first time, enabling new audiences across the globe to experience these unique works.
“The City of Glasgow and the City of Marseilles have been twin cities since 2006 and this high-profile collaboration only strengthens our ties further.”
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