The Belvedere Museum in Vienna is currently hosting an extraordinary exhibition of Impressionist masterpieces from the Museum Langmatt, showcasing a private collection that demonstrates the remarkable eye and taste of its original collectors. The collection, which was primarily assembled between 1908 and 1919, has only been accessible to the public since 1990 and is now making its way through major European venues.
The private collection was built by Sidney and Jenny Brown, whose discerning taste led them to acquire significant works during the height of the Impressionist movement. Among the notable pieces in the exhibition is Pierre-Auguste Renoir's "The Boat" (circa 1878), which the Brown couple purchased in 1917 from the renowned art dealer Ambroise Vollard. This acquisition exemplifies the collectors' ability to identify and secure important works from leading dealers of the era.
While Claude Monet's water lilies painted at Giverny are widely recognized as the quintessential representation of Impressionism, the exhibition reveals lesser-known aspects of the master's work. The collection includes examples of Monet's fascination with snow and frozen water surfaces, subjects he pursued with remarkable dedication along the banks of the Seine River. The artist would set up his easel outdoors, equipped with foot warmers and wearing three coats to withstand the harsh winter conditions.
These winter scenes capture Monet's masterful study of light and atmospheric effects, particularly his rendering of broken ice floating as opaque fragments on the water's surface. In these works, the colors of evening twilight are reflected in the icy water, creating a luminous interplay between the frozen elements and the surrounding light. Such pieces demonstrate Monet's commitment to plein air painting even under the most challenging weather conditions.
The Museum Langmatt collection represents a significant chapter in art collecting history, assembled during a crucial period when Impressionist works were still relatively accessible to private collectors. The fact that this collection remained private for over seventy years before becoming publicly accessible in 1990 makes its current European tour particularly significant for art enthusiasts and scholars alike. The exhibition at the Belvedere offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience these carefully curated Impressionist treasures that showcase both the artistic genius of their creators and the exceptional judgment of their collectors.
