Latest news with #Impressionism


Telegraph
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Renoir masterpiece to be shown in UK for first time
A Renoir masterpiece is to go on display in Britain for the first time next year. The National Gallery has announced an exhibition dedicated to the French Impressionist, called Renoir and Love, which will include his Bal du moulin de la Galette. The 1876 work, featuring people enjoying an outdoor dance in Montmartre, Paris, has a complex history. It was once owned by Ryoei Saito, a Japanese businessman, who bought it for £67 million in 1990 and expressed his wish to be cremated with it when he died. The piece was then acquired by the Musee d'Orsay in Paris, which will loan it to the National Gallery for the exhibition. Christopher Riopelle, the exhibition co-curator, said: 'More than any of his contemporaries, Renoir was committed to chronicling love and friendship and their informal manifestations as keys to modern life. 'Whether on Parisian street corners or in sun-dappled woodlands, he understood that emotion could be as fleeting, as evanescent, as blinding, as his other great and transitory subject, sunlight itself.' The exhibition will be on from Oct 3 next year until Jan 31 2027. The National Gallery last focused on Renoir in 2007. A friend of Monet, the painter was among a group of 19th-century French painters who began to depict everyday life and popular leisure activities rather than grand historical and religious themes. News of the exhibition follows the revelation that the Bayeux Tapestry will be returning to England after 900 years. Emmanuel Macron, the French president,who is visiting the UK, announced a deal for the British Museum to borrow the artwork in exchange for treasure from the Sutton Hoo ship burial. The deal marks the realisation of plans initially drawn up in 2018, when Baroness May as prime minister announced a ' cultural exchange ' between the UK and France. The Renoir exhibition also follows on from the success of the National Gallery's recent Van Gogh exhibition, which attracted more than 300,000 visitors.


Vogue
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue
The Resort 2026 Trend Report: 11 Ways to Dress for Success in a Chaotic World
'Repetition is more the norm than innovation,' wrote Ross Douthat in The Decadent Society, and the 2026 resort collections seem to bear out this assertion. A survey of about 120 collections finds the wheel of fashion turning at a moderate, perhaps more realistic, pace. Wearing a garment just once is a kind of sartorial debauchery that the industry and the earth can no longer sustain. Also: absolutism in fashion seems to be a thing of the past. Among the 11 trends identified here, four—sports, utility, tailoring, and pajama dressing—build on tendencies that have been around for a season or two. The return to a skinny pants silhouette is newsworthy, but it should be noted that designers haven't abandoned trousers with more generous mall-rat proportions. Similarly, while the Roman Holiday-style circle skirt looks fresh to the eye, pencil skirts are also on offer. Chaos is a word that came up more than once in the season's reviews and some of the trends read as reactions to that feeling of unrest. You could hide under the covers in chic street-ready pajamas, but instead why don't you look… like you mean business in a dandified three-piece suit, run circles around your adversaries in sports-inflected looks, stun the crowds in wet-look sequins, don leather like soft armor, and act the superhero in a cape? Prettily taking the edge of things are Impressionistic colors and prints, while back details offer a 360° perspective. Overall, the 2026 resort season as a whole feels both well-rounded and even keeled, so that you can best navigate the extremes of the world. Round and Round: Take a Circle Skirt for a Whirl Designers summoned the charm of the 1950s—and Roman Holiday—with circle skirts, which fall in soft drapes when not flaring in movement.


The Sun
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Emma Raducanu reveals she is studying ‘completely different' course as Wimbledon star hints at future career
EMMA RADUCANU wants to create another masterpiece at Wimbledon. At the most challenging time of her season, Raducanu will try to relax this fortnight by going for long walks 'to destress'. 2 2 And in her spare time at Wimbledon, she is reading books on art history as part of an online course. French 19th century painter Claude Monet, a master of the Impressionist era, is someone whose work she is starting to appreciate more. The world No.38 said: 'I'm just doing a course, I have a year to do it and it's good. It gives me something different to do. 'A lot of my subjects at school growing up were so quantitative – maths and economics. 'To do art history is completely different. You have to challenge your brain and ways of thinking that it wasn't used to. 'It's quite challenging. I actually quite like it. I have to learn so many broader topics. 'You have to pick apart and analyse every single thing in the painting. It's interesting. It's really fascinating. 'I have a greater appreciation for Monet and the Impressionist era. I didn't really take as much notice of that era of painting before. Now, I can appreciate what they're able to do. 'It's art history, and there's a section on the Renaissance and there's a section on sculptures and architecture as well. But I'm not at that part yet.' It is four years since Raducanu made history by winning the 2021 US Open as a qualifier for which she banked £1.8million. British world No719 qualifies for Wimbledon but is BANNED from claiming £66,000 prize money It has been a difficult year for the British tennis superstar, who has had mixed results on the court and some troublesome issues off it. Her coach Nick Cavaday, a long-term friend from her childhood, quit her set-up due to health reasons after the Australian Open in January. Then Raducanu was approached by a stalker that had followed her to Dubai, an episode that saw her burst into tears. And only last week she was crying again in public, this time at Eastbourne after receiving 'some pretty bad news'. Yet in spite of the trials and tribulations she has encountered, Raducanu approaches her fourth Wimbledon determined to smile throughout and live in the moment. Raducanu said: 'I want to really embody just having a good time and feel joy. 'I've recently realised that what we do is for such a short amount of time and it'll go before we know it. 'I was actually listening to Ana Ivanovic say the same thing. She said she wished she had enjoyed it more. 'Sometimes I want to go into the future and think: 'Oh, my god, am I going to regret not enjoying this moment?' 'I'm 22 now. So I'm kind of like living for that person, to not have any regrets to look back on. 'I want to bring joy to what I do and enjoy this time, because it's going to go by really fast.' Stepping on Wimbledon grass on Monday against British teenager Mimi Xu brings with it enormous pressure and expectation. But Raducanu, one of the most scrutinised female athletes on the planet, is relishing the return to the biggest stage. The Kent star said: 'It's a big occasion every year. Something that brings a lot of excitement, it brings a lot of buzz. 'And that buzz of winning at Wimbledon, honestly not much beats it. So I'm really looking forward to it. 'At the same time, you do feel a bit of pressure. You do feel a bit nervous but in a good way. 'If you're able to channel that and use it to focus yourself in the matches, then it's helpful, because sometimes if you're too loose, too relaxed, you're not as locked in on the court.' Wimbledon Ticket Options There are a range of ways to get into Wimbledon as one of the only major sporting events in the world that offer sought-after tickets on the day of the event... The Queue As one of the only major sporting events that allows guests to purchase tickets on the day of the event, demand is high. Each day a large queue forms of people wanting either a Grounds or Show Court ticket - with many even arriving the night before and camping to guarantee a place. Upon arrival, visitors are issued a Queue Card, which is numbered and dated and should be kept until a ticket has been purchased. While there is a limited number of entries, it is possible to remain in the queue and wait for people already inside to leave, with those tickets then becoming available. It is also possible to check the status of the queue on the Wimbledon website. This year, organisers are asking potential queuers to download the Wimbledon app and create a myWimbledon account. Show Tickets If you get to the front of the queue, then there are a limited number of tickets available for purchase for Centre Court and Courts 1, 2 and 3. Note that Centre Court tickets are available for the first 10 days of the tournament, the final four days were already pre-sold. Prices vary depending on the Court, seat and day of the event and will increase the further into the tournament you visit. For example, Centre Court rows A-T cost £105 on Day 1 and £315 on Day 14 (men's final). Grounds Pass A Grounds Pass costs £30 and allows visitors to watch matches on Courts 3-18 on unreserved seats, though there will also be a queue to get into Court 3. Ticket Resale From 3pm each day, tickets may become available from people who have left Wimbledon and made their seat available. A Grounds Pass is needed to join the virtual queue on the Wimbledon App. Tickets cost £15 for Centre Court or £10 for Courts 1/2. Hospitality There are a range of hospitality packages still available on the Wimbledon website. Hospitality packages offer guaranteed premium seating to major matches as well as fine dining experiences, complimentary drinks, a shuttle and concierge service. Hospitality packages can also be purchased via Seat Unique. Secondary Markets Sites such as StubHub offer tickets for the main courts for specific days and times. *Please note that StubHub and similar secondary ticket resale sites may list tickets above face value.* Cavaday will not be courtside but Mark Petchey – a respected TV analyst – will be in the stands, orchestrating her training plans and giving out orders. Raducanu axed Vladimir Platenik as coach after one match in Miami after it was revealed the Slovakian had previously branded the prospect of working with her as 'coaching suicide' in an interview. Working with people who knew her before she became mega famous is something she values. Trust is an important element when it comes to whom she lets into her inner circle having been burned in the past. Raducanu said: 'You're not going to feel so comfortable all the time. 'To have those moments where you maybe open up and you're honest and you show a bit of vulnerability, you kind of only want to do that with people you're close to and can trust. 'You don't want to do the same or go into the same detail, if it's someone you don't fully trust. 'Sometimes also maybe your behaviour isn't perfect, so for them to kind of know that it's not personal. 'You're just kind of carrying a certain amount, and you just need to let certain things out. It's very helpful to know they're not going to take it personally. 'In the past, I couldn't speak out really, because I didn't want what I said to kind of be shared and spoken and gossiped about. 'Because you know how Chinese whispers go. It's just exaggerated and things are twisted.'


Khaleej Times
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
A Dubai-based art collector channels Audrey Hepburn in her dream home vision
Head of Sotheby's UAE, Katia Nounou Boueiz, came to Dubai in 2015 and is now leading the first GCC outpost of an auction house with nearly 300 years of history under its belt. She gave wknd. an exclusive preview of some of the highlights of her growing art collection at her Jumeirah home, and told us how everyone can become a collector. Katia calls the couple's villa as 'a quintessential LA-style house, right in the middle of Jumeirah'. It has a modern feel, high ceilings and expansive glass windows, as well as big white walls which are perfect for showcasing art. 'We have lots of colourful paintings and ceramic sculptures everywhere throughout. In terms of the furniture, we've made a conscious effort to keep it as minimalist as possible, to let the art take centre stage,' she explained. Katia hosts art collectors from around the world while she cooks up her signature Persian cuisine from her family recipes for as many as 130 guests. Just 38, Katia was born and raised in London but is originally of Iraqi and Iranian heritage. She moved to Dubai together with her husband after they got married in 2015. 'Being surrounded by beautiful paintings for the last 17 years since I started working at Sotheby's will make you into somewhat of a collector,' she told wknd. 'Though my favourite period has to be that of the Impressionists - a little over my budget - my husband and I have slowly started to build a collection over the last 12 years that brings together established and less established contemporary artists from all over the world. 'The first piece that we bought was for our London home, a 1970s piece titled Atom by Turkish artist Hamit Gorele, which we won in a Sotheby's auction. I still absolutely love it.' One of the most exciting purchases the couple have made is a beautiful piece by Latifa Echakhch, which they bought from the Kamel Mennour Gallery. 'She is a very talented Moroccan-French artist who participated in the Venice Biennale in 2011 and won the Duchamp Prize in 2013. This is one of the few paintings both my husband and I fell in love with instantly, we were both 100% sold the moment we saw it.' Sotheby's, founded in London in 1744, and the world's oldest and largest internationally recognised firm of fine art auctioneers, opened its first Dubai-based gallery in 2017. 'While others were focusing on categories such as watches and Middle Eastern art, though we also catered for the best of the best in those fields, my priority was to establish ourselves as the pioneers in bringing masterpieces of international art from different periods, in line with the Louvre Abu Dhabi's boundless approach,' Katia told wknd. 'We showcased Old Masters with Rembrandt, Rubens, Botticelli, Impressionist and Modern Art with Picasso, Kandinsky and Giacometti, and Contemporary including a monumental Mappa by Boetti and a one-of-a-kind collection of Warhol prints.' Since then, the auction house has also presented some incredibly important and rare jewels in the UAE, such as Marie-Antoinette's jewels, including her pearl, as well as major gemstones, such as the 303 carat Golden Canary yellow diamond and the magnificent 55 carat Estrela de Fura ruby. And the company's work in the UAE only keeps growing. In April, Sotheby's held its first public exhibition in Abu Dhabi in 15 years, unveiling $100 million (Dh367 million) of rare diamonds at the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation on Saadiyat Island, with two days of sold-out guided tours. Work and home have now become interwoven for Katia, for whom collecting has become a way of life. But it is not only for professionals, she says. 'The first thing I always advise is to establish your own personal style or aesthetic, and consider the overall theme of your home, whether it's more modern, classic or traditional, or eclectic or minimalist. 'You should seek out art that will compliment and enhance your interior. The next most important thing is that the art speaks to you, whether its paintings, photography, sculptures, you should choose pieces that resonate with you and evoke emotions. All of this will enhance your everyday living.' Textures are key to a collection's visual appeal, so varying the art created in different mediums is vital, she said. 'I also highly encourage trying to buy from artists globally - there are so many things out there once you start looking,' she said. Her favourite space in the Jumeirah villa is the main entrance, a true focal point that any guest will have to see. An open space with natural light pouring in, it's a testament to the very personalities at the heart of the home. 'Here you have artworks hung, centred around my favourite piece of furniture, a wooden dining table that is a pretty big statement piece,' she said. 'My second favourite spot would have to be my rooftop, with its gorgeous view of Dubai's iconic skyline, which is where I tend to host all of my big parties,' she added. But contrary to her life of city living from London to Dubai, Katia says that her dream home would be a charming Provençal or country-style house, like the one once owned by Audrey Hepburn in a small village in Switzerland, with a big vegetable and fruit garden. 'This would be a nice contrast to the busy city and beach lifestyle I have between London and Dubai, something I would welcome in the future, when I'm manifesting my retirement plans,' she smiled. 'For inspiration, I look to the likes of Martha Stewart and Amal Clooney, as I love the aesthetic of their interior style. Going through Sotheby's catalogues is also an age-old inspiration, that is all the more easier now its all online. You could spend hours browsing through and seeing how collectors over time have decorated their spaces.' But for now, Dubai remains a huge inspiration, a hub bringing the world to the Middle East in an ever-growing arts and culture scene. 'Dubai is such a dynamic, vibrant and culturally diverse city, which draws influences from all around the world,' she said. 'The city inspires me to appreciate a wide array of styles and aesthetics, encouraging me to blend these various elements into my collection and the work that I do. I find beauty in the fusion of contemporary designs and art mixed with earthy elements, which creates a nice balance. 'By nature of my line of work at Sotheby's, I get to meet so many interesting people from all over the world, and through these experiences and encounters, my taste is ever evolving.'


The Star
12-06-2025
- The Star
An impressive tourism palette in Normandy, France
Normandy (or Normandie), with its ever-changing skies and rugged coastline, initially appealed to local French holidaymakers before becoming a top spot for artists seeking to capture the fleeting moments of nature's beauty. In the late 19th century, the coastal region became a pivotal backdrop for the Impressionist movement, influencing artists to step outside their traditional studios and embrace the nuances of natural light on the landscape. Normandy was, for many Impressionist painters, their birthplace and home. The term 'Impressionism' originated from Claude Monet's 1872 painting, Impression, Sunrise, which depicted Le Havre at dawn. Monet was born in Paris but raised in the port of Le Havre and frequently returned to his hometown to paint its ever-busy port, and the interplay of light on coastal waters. His works from this period emphasise transient moments, capturing reflections and atmospheric conditions. The port city's proximity to Paris and its growing number of fashionable seaside resorts like Dieppe, Honfleur, Deauville and Trouville-sur-Mer meant that artists could simply travel to Normandy by train, and then incorporate a palette of colours into their artistic works. Many stayed to paint an artistic legacy that is hard to rival in any other part of the world. For over half a century, these seaside resorts and the historic riverside city of Rouen inspired the Impressionists. Breaking away from the more formal, classical themes of the early 19th century, the Impressionists were revolutionary in their preference for painting en plein air – or in the open air/outdoors – in natural light. Landscapes, towns, and scenes of daily life were their subject matter. While Monet's paintings are housed in numerous galleries and collections around the world, a remarkable number of Impressionist works can still be admired in Normandy. These paintings, where they were painted, and many other essential elements of French life provide good reasons for visiting Normandy. Road to Rouen My journey of discovery began in Giverny, beside the river Seine, 75km northwest of Paris. It was an excellent place to start my discovery of Normandy, as it was just a short drive from Paris. This is where you can enjoy the fresh air of the French countryside. Not only is the small town an important part of the Impressionist jigsaw puzzle, but its villagers also happily welcome visitors. The beautiful Rouen Cathedral and the city's half-timbered buildings inspired Monet. Monet's home and gardens here were his lifelong inspirations, which lead to his iconic Water Lilies series. The Fondation Claude Monet preserves his house and gardens, allowing visitors to experience the outdoor setting that inspired his creativity and imagination. The place was a magnet for other painters until Monet's death in 1926. While some took advantage of his hospitality, others stayed at the Hotel Baudy. In the late afternoon, I travelled to Rouen to enjoy dining on the open square of Place du Vieux Marche (Old Market Square), taking in the markets, walking along the river, and visiting the famous cathedral. Monet's paintings of Rouen Cathedral, depicting the structure at different times of the day and under varying light conditions, exemplifies his exploration of light and perception. The Musee des Beaux-Arts has a compelling display of Monet's cathedral series. The cathedral was built in two phases and two distinct styles. Work started on the Roman-inspired section in 1030, and in 1145, the Gothic-inspired section commenced. At 150m high and 145m long, it is France's highest and most asymmetrical cathedral since the reconstruction of its cast iron spire in 1876. For me, simply strolling along Rouen's medieval streets past half-timbered buildings was a highlight of this historic city. Village life in La Bouille Rouen is a large, bustling riverside city that offers many tourist activities and facilities, but it was Normandy's smaller towns and villages that were in my sights. Impressionists Alfred Sisley, William Turner and Paul Gauguin all painted here in the village, which dates back to the 13th century. Helpful signs aided my understanding of the sites and attractions around the walkable town. La Bouille, a small riverside village, was my base for two days. I wanted to enjoy village life while exploring the region. As an indication of expenses in a village compared to a big city like Rouen, my off-peak accommodation for two at the Hotel Le Bellevue in La Bouille was €77 (RM373) a night, and breakfast was €14.50 (RM70) a head. Meanwhile, a three-course dinner in the adjoining restaurant, La Table d'Hector, was €39 (189) per person without beverages. During my stay in La Bouille, I visited the nearby Museo Seine at Rives-en-Seine to learn about the history of the region and the importance of the river to everyday life across the floodplain. Honfleur is arguably the most picturesque fishing village along the Normandy coast. If you can't paint it, then at least take a picture of the place if you ever visit. Riverside Honfleur Honfleur is the quintessential seaside fishing town fronting the Atlantic Ocean where it meets the Seine. Apart from exploring the quaint seafront with its fishing fleet, the Musee Eugene Boudin, with paintings by Eugene Boudin and Monet, isn't to be missed. Boudin, an influential Impressionist from Honfleur, was known as the 'king of the skies'. He introduced Monet to plein-air painting, urging him to capture the changing skies directly. Honfleur's picturesque harbour, with its wooden houses and shifting light, became a frequent subject for both artists. I enjoyed a leisurely seafood dinner overlooking the port, which becomes quieter after the day-trippers have moved on. Not surprisingly, Honfleur is one of the most popular tourist sites in Normandy, attracting many who dine in seafood restaurants after wandering the historic streets. This charming port town, with its cobblestone streets and historic architecture, captivated many Impressionists. Cliffs and gardens of Etretat A natural stop on my way north from Honfleur to Etretat was Le Havre, as Monet's early works were painted in and around the port. The Musee d'Art Moderne Andre Malraux (MuMa) houses an extensive collection of Impressionist art, including Monet's works (Water Lilies) and those of his contemporaries. Further north, the dramatic cliffs and natural arches of Etretat provided a stunning backdrop for painters like Delacroix and Courbet. Courbet, like other Impressionists, was fascinated by the dramatic geological formations, the quality of natural light, and the clarity of the air. He appreciated that the composition of the sea, the land with its cliffs and rocks, and the sky was well balanced. In 1868, Monet lived in Etretat with Camille Doncieux, whom he was to marry two years later. He visited the seaside resort town on many occasions in the 1880s to work on numerous paintings depicting the cliffs under varying light conditions, and capturing their ever-changing appearance. The chalk cliffs at Etretat inspired many Impressionist painters including Monet who lived nearby. He, too, was fascinated by the dramatic cliffs and rock arches and was constantly looking for somewhere with outstanding natural beauty that he could paint. He sought sites to observe the effects of natural light on the sea and the limestone cliffs of what is known as the Alabaster Coast. He would move from one position to another, continually looking for the best natural lighting across the landscape. This explains why Monet painted so many pictures of the same scene. He wanted to capture the changing light at various times and during ever-changing weather conditions. As such, it was not only the beauty of the coastline that appealed but also its changing weather, including its tempestuous ferocity. In 1883 Monet completed a work entitled Stormy Sea In Etretat, which is currently housed in Lyon's Musee des Beaux-Arts. Like other visitors, I walked the clifftop paths that Monet once did, admiring the same vistas that inspired his masterpieces. However, it was the evocative art in the manicured gardens at Jardins d'Etretat that fascinated me most. Perched high on the cliffs above the seaside town, the Jardins d'Etretat are a striking blend of nature, contemporary art and architectural landscaping. The gardens were created in 1905 by actress Madame Thebault, who was inspired by Monet's paintings depicting the local seascape. After decades of obscurity, the gardens were restored and reimagined in 2017 by Russian landscape architect Alexandre Grivko. He designed modern topiary gardens that pay homage to the original Belle Époque spirit while combining avant-garde sculpture with environmental themes. The gardens at Etretat are a living cultural canvas that challenges the senses at every twist in the pathways that weave through them. Small towns like La Bouille along the Seine are ideal for enjoying French daily life. Visitors to the gardens can explore a series of distinct spaces with names like Impressionist, Emotion, and Aval, where immaculately sculpted foliage undulates in harmony with the cliffside. The experience is deliberately immersive, with art installations by global artists interwoven into the landscape to challenge the boundary between gallery and garden. In the town, Le Donjon – Domaine Saint Clair offers accommodation and refined Norman cuisine with sea views and accommodation. Normandy's landscapes, with their interplay of light and natural beauty, continue to resonate with artists and visitors alike. By following in the footsteps of the Impressionists, visitors to France can gain a deeper appreciation for their paintings and the environment that inspired them. Normandy also provides a wonderful French experience that is close to the air gateway of Paris. Even visitors with a limited appreciation of the Impressionists can travel to Normandy to appreciate it in a different light. The destination's tourism infrastructure and interpretation facilities make it easy for visitors to travel here to take in the beauty of the land and all that it has to offer. n The Normandy Impressionist Festival is staged annually throughout the province from July 1 to the end of August. Travel Notes How to get there: Fly into Paris (Orly or Charles de Gaulle airports) and hire a car to Normandy, or take the train to Rouen. Trains operated by SNCF depart from Charles de Gaulle, with the fastest direct connection taking about four hours (train changes at Arras and Amiens). Trains from Paris to Normandy depart from Saint-Lazare Station and cover the 135km distance to Rouen in just 75 minutes. Alternatively, join a multi-day river cruise from Paris that includes stops in Honfleur and Rouen. CroisiEurope operates boating tours of Normandy along the river Seine departing from, and returning to Paris. More info: Explore France ( and Normandy Tourism (