Treasures of the Swope
Garden in Giverny, c 1901
Mary Fairchild MacMonnies (New Haven, Connecticut 1858 – Bronxville, New York 1946)
oil on linen, 29 in x 55 in
museum purchase, 1999.40
Garden in Giverny is “one of the great paintings created in that most famous of all Impressionist art colonies”according to noted American art historian, Dr. William H. Gerdts. It is one of the paintings featured in the current exhibit, Renoir and the Hoosier Impressionists, now on view in the redone first floor gallery of the Swope.
The painting is by Mary Fairchild MacMonnies, one of the most important woman artists of her day. Along with her husband, noted sculptor Frederick MacMonnies, she began frequenting Giverny around 1888. Later they purchased an estate next to Claude Monet, who had made Giverny famous.
Garden inGiverny is one of several seasonal paintings MacMonnies did in her garden. The time is an autumn sunrise in all its luminosity.
At the Swope, she is best known for Five O’Clock Tea, the large Impressionist work that anchors the west end of the Zaun Gallery on the first floor. Her paintings are also in the National Academy in New York City and Musee Vernon in France.
This work of art was featured in Terre Haute Living January/February 2022.
Click here to read more about this work of art.
Annual Alliance of the Swope Raffle:
Tickets on sale now for the Alliance of the Swope Raffle! Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at the front desk of the museum. The raffle drawing will be held First Friday, February 4th, 2022. Click here to see the three raffle items made by local artists.
Happening Now at the Swope:
Renoir and the Hoosier Impressionists
December 3 – May 29
This exhibition features “Fleurs dans un vase jaune” by artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir and highlights some of our best works by impressionist artists who painted right here in Indiana. Many of the works of art in this exhibition are from the permanent collection, but haven’t been on public display in recent memory… you’re sure to see something new to you. This exhibition shows off the newly renovated first floor gallery in stunning fashion! Come experience “Renoir and the Hoosier Impressionists” with us.