Digital exhibition "Brilliant Silence" on Claude Monet and Pierre Bonnard opens its doors.

Oscar-Claude Monet (1840-1926) was a pioneering painter who founded the French Impressionist school. He consistently adhered to the philosophy of emphasizing the expressive style of one's perception of nature, especially in outdoor paintings. The term "Impressionism" originates from the title of Monet's painting "Impression, Sunrise," exhibited at the first independent exhibition of Impressionist painters at the Salon de Paris in 1874. With the desire to capture images of the French countryside, Monet employed the method of painting a scene multiple times at different times to record the changing light and the transitions of the seasons.

In this exhibition, VCCA will present the most outstanding works depicting Monet's artistic life, from "Lady with an Umbrella" (1875), the series of works "Haystacks" (1890), "Artist's Garden at Giverny" (1900) to "Water Lilies" (1899). This is also the first time that two works from the "Water Lilies" collection (1914-1926) will be displayed in large size, up to 13 meters long - almost equivalent to the original works currently housed at the Musée de l'Orangerie in France.

Meanwhile, Pierre Bonnard (1867-1947) is considered a key figure who "bridged" the gap between Impressionism and Post-Impressionism. In 1912, Bonnard moved to Vernonnet, not far from Giverny—Monet's home—and the two quickly became friends, exchanging letters and meeting frequently. In contrast to Monet, Bonnard was known for his bold colors and his fondness for painting scenes of everyday life.

While Monet favored expansive outdoor spaces, Bonnard focused on everyday scenes and seemingly monotonous, individual objects. If Monet emphasized the impression of time and light in a scene at that very moment, creating a relentless chase with composition, Bonnard opted for simplicity in each frame, painted from memory. Therefore, Bonnard's works possess a rare intimacy and closeness, such as "Bathroom Mirror" (1914), "Furniture and Flowers" (1919), "Before Dinner" (1924), "Breakfast Room" (1930-31), or paintings depicting large windows. This fascinating contrast will be evident throughout the works presented in the exhibition.Brilliant silenceThis time.

With modern technology and diverse projection equipment, 50 artworks will be "displayed" in digital form through projection on projectors, televisions, computers, and mobile phones with high resolution and various sizes. The exhibition will recreate classic works, showcasing different artistic styles.ImpressionImpressionism, from 150 years ago, or the doctrineIntimateIntimism, a movement from a century ago, is now more accessible to the public. Art enthusiasts will be "guided" through a visual journey, receiving new and rich emotions from works that seem familiar. These emotions will likely resonate with Monet's words in a letter to a friend: "What keeps my heart awake is the radiant silence."

The exhibition “Brilliant Silence” is open to the public free of charge from March 19, 2021 to April 24, 2021 at VCCA, Vincom Mega Mall Royal City, Hanoi. During the exhibition, VCCA will also organize an art tour revolving around the creative stories and thematic meanings of the artworks, providing the public with profound artistic experiences.

Huong Thao