Wednesday 24th September 2014  7:00 PM

Lecture Title: The Birth of Impressionism

Presenter: James O. Rolle

Date: Wednesday, September 24th

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Location: NAGB

In painting, one of Eddie Minnis' many talents, he records aesthetically and uniquely much of our way of life that is regrettably disappearing. Eddie Minnis' subject matter comprises primarily landscapes and seascapes, which are rendered in the impressionistic style and with a unique application of oil paint and is the foremost Bahamian practitioner of this method.

The impressionist style of painting is often taken for granted today but it had a turbulent beginning in the Paris, France in the late 19th century. Edouard Manet scandalised the French art establishment with the exhibition of 'Le Dejeuner sur L'herbe', completed by the artist in 1863. It proved controversial in the manner of his presentation of the subject matter and the techniques employed in creating the work. Manet's painting was rejected for display at the Salon, where artists of his day received recognition and, eventually, lucrative patronage. However, he eventually became the leader of the 'impressionist' movement and the father of modern art.

Vincent Van Gogh, Field with Butterflies (1890)



Eddie Minnis, Down To Earth (1974)

Mr. Minnis often speaks of the influence Impressionism had on his practise and, at the NAGB, visitors can currently view many of the early works that had the loose gesture associated with this movement and a more abstracted approaches to nature, where one clearly sees the influence of Monet's Waterlilies, for example. The experimental works, 1973s "Down to Earth," a close-up of a lavish green stretch of turf, and "Coconut Heart" (1972), for example, seem unusual to the visitor who knows Minnis' oeuvre--more known for its open vistas, street views with charming houses--since in these images we have a close-up view and a strong use of cropping. On a trip to the UK later in life, Minnis was surprised yet satisfied to view Van Gogh's "Long Grass with Butterflies" (1890) in London's National Gallery, so similar to his "Down To Earth," confirming the real connection he had with the French masters.

Please come join us for this wonderful evening!