Connecticut was an important creative seedbed of American Impressionism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. With art colonies of talented painters taking up residence in Cos Cob and at Florence Griswold's boarding house in Old Lyme, many of the great Impressionist scenes painted during those years are scenes of Connecticut. Because of this rich heritage, many museums in the state are now home to Impressionist masterworks. Begin with a look at the Connecticut Art Trail, a tour that will take you to 21 museums and historic sites throughout the state. As you make your travel plans, here are a few key sites for Connecticut Impressionists to put on your list:
Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Hartford
Impressionist art by the French Masters can be most notably seen at Hartford's Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, which houses masterpieces by Manet, Monet, Renoir, Pisarro and Cézanne.
Hill-Stead Museum, Farmington
Here you can find a collection that includes works by Cassatt, Degas, Manet, Monet and Whistler.
The Florence Griswold Museum, Old Lyme
The Florence Griswold Museum was the home of the woman who took in and encouraged painters in what was called the Lyme Art Colony. It's now known as the home of American Impressionism, with one of the best collections of Impressionism in America. Here you'll see major works by Childe Hassam, John Henry Twachtman, and Willard Metcalf. Be sure to see the Hartford Steam Boiler ongoing exhibition.
Bush-Holley House, Greenwich
The centerpiece of the Greenwich Historical Society's site on Cos Cob Harbor in Greenwich. Here, the historic buildings, landscape and gardens evoke the turn of the 20th century when Cos Cob became an art colony and cradle of American Impressionism. The museum galleries feature both permanent and changing exhibitions.
Weir Farm National Historic Site, Wilton
Weir Farm National Historic Site in Wilton was home to three generations of American artists after Julian Alden Weir, a leading figure in American art and the development of American Impressionism, acquired the farm in 1882. Today, the 60-acre farm, which includes the Weir House, Weir and Young Studios, barns, gardens, and Weir Pond, is one of the nation's finest remaining landscapes of American art. Please note: the museum is not currently open, but the grounds are open daily. Add it to your bucket list for future travels!
Mattatuck Museum, Waterbury
The galleries feature work by Connecticut artists from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, including American Impressionists such as J. Alden Weir and Willard Metcalf.
New Britain Museum of American Art, New Britain
Widely considered to be the first museum in the world dedicated solely to American art, the New Britain Museum of American Art is renowned for its preeminent collection spanning three centuries. The Chase Family Building features 15 spacious galleries that showcase the permanent collection and 15-20 special exhibitions annually. Works by American Impressionists at the museum include a pastel by Mary Cassatt and works by Theodore Robinson, John Henry Twachtman, J. Alden Weir and Willard Metcalf, as well as 11 oil paintings by Childe Hassam.
Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Hartford
Impressionist art by the French Masters can be most notably seen at Hartford's Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, which houses masterpieces by Manet, Monet, Renoir, Pisarro and Cézanne.
Hill-Stead Museum, Farmington
Here you can find a collection that includes works by Cassatt, Degas, Manet, Monet and Whistler.
The Florence Griswold Museum, Old Lyme
The Florence Griswold Museum was the home of the woman who took in and encouraged painters in what was called the Lyme Art Colony. It's now known as the home of American Impressionism, with one of the best collections of Impressionism in America. Here you'll see major works by Childe Hassam, John Henry Twachtman, and Willard Metcalf. Be sure to see the Hartford Steam Boiler ongoing exhibition.
Bush-Holley House, Greenwich
The centerpiece of the Greenwich Historical Society's site on Cos Cob Harbor in Greenwich. Here, the historic buildings, landscape and gardens evoke the turn of the 20th century when Cos Cob became an art colony and cradle of American Impressionism. The museum galleries feature both permanent and changing exhibitions.
Weir Farm National Historic Site, Wilton
Weir Farm National Historic Site in Wilton was home to three generations of American artists after Julian Alden Weir, a leading figure in American art and the development of American Impressionism, acquired the farm in 1882. Today, the 60-acre farm, which includes the Weir House, Weir and Young Studios, barns, gardens, and Weir Pond, is one of the nation's finest remaining landscapes of American art. Please note: the museum is not currently open, but the grounds are open daily. Add it to your bucket list for future travels!
Mattatuck Museum, Waterbury
The galleries feature work by Connecticut artists from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, including American Impressionists such as J. Alden Weir and Willard Metcalf.
New Britain Museum of American Art, New Britain
Widely considered to be the first museum in the world dedicated solely to American art, the New Britain Museum of American Art is renowned for its preeminent collection spanning three centuries. The Chase Family Building features 15 spacious galleries that showcase the permanent collection and 15-20 special exhibitions annually. Works by American Impressionists at the museum include a pastel by Mary Cassatt and works by Theodore Robinson, John Henry Twachtman, J. Alden Weir and Willard Metcalf, as well as 11 oil paintings by Childe Hassam.
Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Hartford
Impressionist art by the French Masters can be most notably seen at Hartford's Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, which houses masterpieces by Manet, Monet, Renoir, Pisarro and Cézanne.
Hill-Stead Museum, Farmington
Here you can find a collection that includes works by Cassatt, Degas, Manet, Monet and Whistler.
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