Museum of Darien Exhibition Features Top American Impressionists

As the Impressionist movement took hold in the United States during the late 1800s, Connecticut became a magnet for artists looking for inspiration. A new exhibition, State of Inspiration: Connecticut’s Art Colonies, featuring works by the state’s top Impressionists, will open with a Champagne Reception on Friday, March 18 at 7 p.m. at the Museum of Darien.

Featuring 40 paintings from the collection of Tom and Marianne Davies of New Canaan, the exhibition explores the unique appeal that Connecticut offered to young artists returning to the United States after studying abroad. Many of these artists opted to settle in six communities that evolved into Connecticut’s Art Colonies: Cos Cob, Silvermine, Westport, Old Lyme, Mystic and Kent.

Clusters of artists gravitated to the East Coast to be close to major cities, exhibit their work and attract prospective clients. Painting en plein air in the countryside was also priority for these Impressionist artists. “Connecticut was an ideal location. Not only was it close to Boston and New York, it also offered a multitude of appealing coastal and pastoral settings,” Davies explained.

As artists continued to visit, many eventually established homes and encouraged friends and fellow artists to do the same. “Not to be overlooked, another major benefit the state offered at that time was cheap rent,” said Davies.

One such artist was Frank Vincent Dumond, who painted Old Lyme Gardens (c. 1915), an oil painting on canvas in the exhibit. Described as an “art treasure” by a critic of the day, Dumond arrived in Old Lyme in 1902 and made his home there for the next 49 years while also commuting to the Art Students League in New York. Among his most renowned students were Norman Rockwell, Georgia O’Keeffe and the Modernist John Marin. His color theories continue to influence students today and his particular fondness for the color green, as seen in this work became known as Dumond Green."

To register for State of Inspiration: Connecticut’s Art Colonies Champagne Opening Reception visit the Museum’s website at museumofdarien.org or call 203.655.9233. The cost is $40 for members and $50 for non-members. The Museum of Darien is located at 45 Old King’s Highway in Darien, CT.

Established in 1953 as the Darien Historical Society, the Museum of Darien welcomes all ages to experience and discover the crafted objects, narratives and works of art that have shaped this community. We tell Darien’s story, from its earliest beginnings as Middlesex Parish to the prosperous community we know today. Come celebrate our town story with us! To learn more about supporting the town’s history, visit our website at museumofdarien.org or call us at 203.655.9233