The Zimmerli Art Museum Presents…

The Impressionist Sailors
Daniel Charles, Yachting Author and Historian
Sunday, October 14, 3:00pm

Impressionist artists not only depicted sailing in their art but practiced it as well. Artists such as Bazille, Caillebotte, Manet, Monet, Signac, and Sisley were participants in and not just sightseers of the leisure sport of sailing. This lecture will explore the impact this sport had on the aesthetics of French art during the last quarter of the 19th century as well as the social/technological implications of the theme. In a world revolutionized by machinery, boats are among the few contemporary machines that the artists frequently represented, and with an amazing devotion and great attention to technical minutiae. To our eyes, these boats are old ones, but such was not the case at the time. None of the types painted by Monet and other Impressionists existed when the artists were born. Sailboats used wire rigging, lathed turnbuckles, and mechanically woven sailcloth; indeed, they were highly modern to contemporary eyes. The new sailboats were poetic proof that modernity could improve the landscape.

Zimmerli members, students, faculty and staff are always FREE. For visitors, this event is free-of-charge with paid admission ($3). While visiting, be sure to visit the Zimmerli’s museum store and Café Z.

Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum
71 Hamilton Street
New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
732.932.7237
www.zimmerlimuseum.rutgers.edu