[A] masterpiece by one of the world’s most famous painters will go on show at Abbot Hall Art Gallery in the new year. Claude Monet’s Haystacks: Snow Effect, will be displayed at the Gallery in Kendal from Friday 12 January until 28 April.
The painting, dated 1891, is from a series of work widely regarded as among Monet’s best and is loaned from the National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh. It is believed to be the very first time that a Monet has been on display in Cumbria and cements Abbot Hall’s commitment to show work by iconic international artists.
Monet, a founder of French impressionist painting, produced over 30 haystacks paintings. He worked at different times of day and season to capture the affect changing light had on their form.
Director of Lakeland Arts, Gordon Watson said: “To have a Monet on show is a major coup for Abbot Hall and our visitors. It is also a great news for Cumbria. The Haystacks series of works are among his most famous. We are delighted that Cumbrian people will get a chance to see such an important painting right here in Kendal.
“It’s also feels quite apt to be able to show off Haystacks: Snow Effect in a rural location during winter. And the work will be with us during the transition to spring. I think Monet would approve.”
The haystacks in this painting stood in a field to the west of Monet’s house in Giverney, France, where his famous water lily gardens were situated. In autumn and the relatively mild winter of 1890, Monet persuaded the local farmer to leave the stacks in his field so he could make a series of paintings. In Haystacks: Snow Effect the haystacks are almost reduced to shadow in the glowing winter light.
There are 25 paintings from Monet’s Haystacks series held at galleries around the globe including Tokyo, Los Angeles, Chicago, Paris and now Kendal. This is your chance to see a Monet masterpiece in Cumbria.
Lakeland Arts is putting the finishing touches to an exciting 2018 programme of exhibitions, displays and events. Alongside Monet, the 2018 programme is set to feature eminent artists including Grayson Perry and Elisabeth Frink.
The full 2018 programme is set to be announced in the new year.
