Suzanne Demarest (American/French, 1900-1985), “At the Beach,” oil on canvas, 6” x 12”

 

“Impressionism, Post-Impressionism and Modernism” opens August 7th at the Wiscasset Bay Gallery. Works by important American and European artists from Italy, France, Holland, Austria, Great Britain and the United States will be on display.

Of particular interest is a charming portrait of a young girl in a green and white dress with a pink bow by French Impressionist Carolus-Duran (1837-1917). Carolus-Duran was among the most celebrated, portrait painters in Paris in the 1870’s and 1880’s and taught American artists John Singer Sargent, Theodore Robinson and James Carroll Beckwith, among others. 

On the lighter side is a playful beach scene by American Post-Impressionist Suzanne Demarest (1900-1985). Demarest lived and worked in France and captured people enjoying life out-of-doors under colorful umbrellas at the beach or in city parks. 

 

Fernand Léger (French, 1881-1955), “Les Femmes au Bouquet” lithograph, 20” x 25 1/4”

 

Contrasting the airiness of the impressionist paintings is Fernand Léger’s (French, 1881-1955) lithographie en coulers of “Les Femmes au Bouquet.” Léger’s bold and unique form of cubism captures three women with circular forms and vibrant color holding a vase of flowers. 

Pushing modernism ever closer to pure abstraction is Thomas Brownell Eldred’s (American, 1903-1993) dynamic work “Abstraction, 1946.” Strong black lines form geometric shapes of variegated color and echo the energy of a modern city.

Other noted American and European artists whose works are featured in the exhibition include Leon Kroll (American, 1884-1974), Raoul Dufy (French, 1877-1953), Arnold Gorter (Dutch, 1866-1933), Giuseppe Marino (Italian, 1916-1975), Albert Meindl (Austrian, 1891-1967), Marie Laurencin (French, 1883-1956) and Morris Shulman (American, 1912-1978).

“Impressionism, Post-Impressionism and Modernism” will be on display through September 13th. For further information, call (207) 882-7682 or visit the gallery’s website at www.wiscassetbaygallery.com. The Wiscasset Bay Gallery is open daily from 10:00 am until 5:30 pm. Wiscasset Bay Gallery is located at 67 Main Street (Route 1) in historic Wiscasset village.