Matisse & Renoir: New Encounters at the Barnes

About the Exhibition

“A revelatory installation. . . . It’s a treat to see everything in Matisse & Renoir: New Encounters at the Barnes in an unexpected way.” —Wall Street Journal

Two innovators in modern European art, Pierre-Auguste Renoir (French, 1841–1919) and Henri Matisse (French, 1869–1954) were also among Dr. Albert Barnes’s favorite painters. He collected their artwork voraciously over the course of four decades. On view in the Roberts Gallery, Matisse & Renoir: New Encounters at the Barnes presents 34 of these works in a display that reflects the expansion of our educational program, emphasizing the objects’ art-historical context.

Renoir was nearly 30 years older than Matisse. As a member of the impressionist group that upended painting conventions in the late 19th century, Renoir paved the way for Matisse to develop his own radical approach to color and form in the next century. Their boundary pushing, in fact, changed the way successive generations of artists thought about color as an expressive compositional tool. The two artists met in 1917, near the end of Renoir’s life, and engaged in a creative dialogue over the next two years that Matisse cherished.

Arranged by artist and time period, the installation shows the stylistic development of both artists across their careers as well as the subjects and motifs they fruitfully revisited. By placing such iconic works in new contexts and juxtapositions, Matisse & Renoir: New Encounters at the Barnes encourages fresh perspectives.

The second floor of the Barnes collection is closed through September 13, 2024, for floor refinishing.

Exhibition Organization

Matisse & Renoir: New Encounters at the Barnes is organized by curator Cindy Kang and independent curator Corrinne Chong.

Related Programs

Member Previews
Thursday, June 20–Saturday, June 22, 10 am–5 pm
Members are invited to see Matisse & Renoir before it opens. Free.

Curators in Conversation
Sunday, June 23, 1 pm
Join us on the exhibition’s opening day for a conversation with curator Cindy Kang and Martha Lucy, deputy director for research, interpretation and education, moderated by assistant curator Corrinne Chong. Learn about the individual achievements of Matisse and Renoir and their brief but important friendship. Includes access to exhibition.

Exhibition Tours
Beginning June 27, Thursday–Monday, 1 pm
In this one-hour tour, a trained docent provides a closer look at the exhibition, focusing on the development of Matisse and Renoir. Includes access to exhibition and collection before and after tour.

Private Exhibition Tours
Beginning June 27, Thursday–Monday, 10 am, 11 am, 2 pm
Led by a trained docent, this tour is a private one-hour experience for you and up to seven guests. Reservations are required. Private tours must be requested at least four days in advance. Includes access to exhibition and collection before and after tour.

Members-Only Exhibition Tours
Thursdays, June 27–September 5, 2–3 pm
Members are invited to exclusive docent-led tours of the exhibition.

Members-Only Online Exhibition Tour
Wednesdays, July 10 and August 21, 2–3 pm
Members are invited to exclusive online tours of the exhibition.

First Friday
July 5, August 2, and September 6; 6–9 pm
Enjoy an evening of art, live music, cocktails, and light fare at our monthly First Friday mixer and performance series. Includes access to Matisse & Renoir and the collection.

PECO Free First Sunday Family Day
July 7, August 4, and September 1; 10 am–5 pm
On the first Sunday of every month, the Barnes partners with PECO to offer a free day of family fun. Along with art making, educational activities, and performances, the event includes access to Matisse & Renoir and the collection.

Barnes on the Block
Sunday, July 14, noon–5 pm
Our annual block party with live art, food trucks, a beer garden, and music, features free access to Matisse & Renoir and the collection.

Workshop: Matisse and Renoir in a New Light
Wednesday, July 10, or Tuesday, August 6; 10 am–4 pm
Instructors: Rob Jagiela, Kaelin Jewell, and Martha Lucy
Celebrate Matisse & Renoir with this one-day workshop. Join us in the Roberts Gallery as we look closely at large-scale works such as Mussel-Fishers, The Joy of Life, and The Music Lesson, literally in a new light. Why was Albert Barnes so obsessed with these artists? How did he and Violette de Mazia incorporate Matisse and Renoir into their teachings? Exclusive access to original archival documents will help illuminate the story.