Discovering the Impressionists

Annotated for the 150th anniversary of the first impressionism exhibition in Paris, this memoir—offers a rare, firsthand account of the lives and works of the groundbreaking artists he made famous.

Paul Durand-Ruel redefined the role of the art dealer. An exceptional entrepreneur and precursor of the international art market scene, he established a network of galleries between Paris, London, Brussels, and New York, and organized international traveling exhibitions. The first to recognize the talent of the Barbizon School artists and the impressionists, and confident in his role championing their art, Paul Durand-Ruel established the careers of visionary artists including Renoir, Monet, Sisley, Berthe Morisot, and Mary Cassatt.

This book—fully revised and updated by the Durand-Ruel estate—is an indispensable reference for understanding the artistic life and the art market of the nineteenth century. Durand-Ruel’s passion—as a friend and patron of the artists—manifested in his promotion of the Barbizon School and, later, impressionism. Retracing his life from 1831 to 1922, it features more than sixty illustrations including archival documents and reproduction of works of art, a selection of articles and letters, a list of the principal exhibitions and artworks he displayed, as well as a biographical timeline and family tree.

Extensive end matter includes excerpts of personal and professional correspondence between the dealer and his artists, detailed notes, historic addresses of the Durand-Ruel galleries, and a selected bibliography. Indexes to key figures in the art world, the artists, and their works—including the current location based on research by the estate—complete the volume.