What Makes A Masterpiece?

This Saturday the special exhibition Birth of Impressionism: Masterpieces from the Musée d’Orsay opens at the de Young Museum. It's a really big deal because this, and the post-Impressionism show that follows in September, is the only exhibition of its kind to be seen in the U.S. The de Young Museum is the only museum given permission to display work from the collection at the Musée d’Orsay. Cool.

Exhibition Description:

Birth of Impressionism: Masterpieces from the Musée d’Orsay presents nearly 100 magnificent works by the famous masters who called France their home during the mid- to late-19th century and from whose midst arose one of the most original and recognizable of all artistic styles, Impressionism. The exhibition begins with paintings by the great academic artist Bouguereau and the arch-Realist Courbet, and includes American expatriate Whistler’s Arrangement in Gray and Black, known to many as “Whistler’s Mother.” Manet, Monet, Renoir, and Sisley are showcased with works dating from the 1860s through 1880s, along with a selection of Degas’ paintings that depict images of the ballet, the racetrack, and life in the Belle Époque.

I'm very much looking forward to seeing this exhibition. (By the way, Eric and I are museum members so if you want to go, let me know!)

It got me thinking about how is it that some art can stand the test of time? What makes a Masterpiece? And what is the artist thinking when he or she creates it?

I can't imagine that any artist knows that what they are creating will have such a lasting impact. I can't really imagine what these artists were thinking at all when they were working. Did they have the same fears and frustrations and questions and concerns that I do? Did they often wonder to themselves, "what is this about, who is this for?"

It's such an uncertain career path, being an artist. Most artists, even the really, really famous ones, struggle to make it work. It's tough in a profession where oftentimes your greatest success comes after death.

Hmmmm. Makes me wonder, "why bother"? But I think I have an inkling as to what kept these Masters going. They just couldn't help themselves. They had to make art. There was no other choice. I can relate to that.

Oh, the Irony of It All of the Day:

So, they move the AMGEN Tour of California from February to May, which seems like a great idea considering how much rain there was during the event last year. And, of course, what is the weather forecast for today during the Stage 2 finish in downtown Santa Rosa (which Eric and I plan to attend)? RAIN!