Impressionist paintings in the Louvre

"Impressionism is still a living legend, with a firmness of purpose which adversity could not destroy, a purity of aim which, perhaps, was only equaled by the pioneers of the Renaissance, and which resulted in complete nonconformity. The boldness of these artists involved them often in tragedy, poverty, sacrifice, opprobrium, but also in triumphs. This legend has given them the aureole of martyrs."

Thus Germain Bazin, distinguished Curator-in-Chief of the Louvre, introduces us to the galleries of the Jeu de Paume in the Louvre and the worlds' most magnificent collection of Impressionist masterpieces. Here one enters the luminous, vibrant realm of the Impressionists and is encompassed by the warmth and delicacy of its landscapes, the gaiety of picnics by the Seine, and the elegance of nineteenth-century Paris. The finest of the galleries' treasures have been selected for our delight.

Over a hundred paintings are reproduced in full color, and each is accompanied by a full-age commentary which is a pleasure to read. In his fascinating introduction M. Bazin lucidly analyzes the sources of Impressionism in nineteenth-century life and art, and the appeal that its warm humanism continues to exert on us, and he traces the history and fortunes of the movement and the assembling of the collection by the Louvre.

With its remarkably informative text and wealth of illustrations this book is a superb introduction to the Jeu de Paume and to Impressionism itself.

LIVRO EM INGLÊS