The show, continuing into late March, is divided into sections on the urban scene, the rural landscape, Sargent and his influence, Gilded Age representations of women, and the influence of Impressionism on the Eight, a group of progressive early 20th-century artists.
Born in 1863, Signac who was younger than Claude Monet by 23 years, felt compelled to become a painter on discovering the pictures of the grand master of Impressionism on the premises of a magazine, "La Vie Moderne".
The effect of Impressionism on America was relatively slight, despite exhibitions of Impressionists in the United States and the exposure of teachers and students to their works on visits to Paris.
They were his wedding present in 1924 to Anne-Marie Durand-Ruel, granddaughter of his art dealer, Paul Durand-Ruel, the man credited with inventing Impressionism, on whom the National Gallery in London has just staged a major exhibition.
("It's a good thing we have some Impressionism on the second floor," joked Anthony Calnek, a spokesman for the museum).
Impressionism, on the other hand, blurs appearances thoroughly, but it doesn't indulge in any dematerialisation effects.
In 73 pictures admirably chosen by the curator MaryAnne Stevens from the collection housed in the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts, the show "From Paris: a Taste for Impressionism," on view until Sept. 23 at the Royal Academy of Arts, does away with the perception of the movement as a one-way track opened by young artists who suddenly saw light.
Editors' Note: September 30, 2000, Saturday An art review in Weekend on Sept. 1 about the history and collections of seven small museums in Maine commented briefly on a temporary exhibition that had recently opened at the Ogunquit Museum of American Art, "Painted Air: American Impressionism," on view through Oct. 15.
Visually, the impressionism book is ravishing.
While you're there, don't miss Monet up to Digital Impressionism, on display in a stunning museum built around the private collection of a prominent art dealer.
