Starting June 22, some of the world’s finest art can be seen by traveling not to London or Paris but to Oklahoma City.
Thanks to generous local donors, the Oklahoma City Museum of Art hosts Van Gogh, Monet, Degas: The Mellon Collection of French Art from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The exhibit runs through Sept. 22 and is shown by restricted entry. Timed tickets allow patrons to avoid long waits and lines and enjoy the art in an intimate, relaxed setting.
Philanthropists Paul and Rachel Mellon gave this unique collection of European masters to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
“This exhibition builds on the museum’s history of bringing outstanding, artistically significant exhibitions to Oklahoma City,” coordinating curator Jessica Provencher says. “Many of the works that have passed through the museum in recent years would be difficult, if not impossible, to see anywhere else in our region. Van Gogh, Monet, Degas brings a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Oklahomans to see this collection outside [Virginia]”.
Featuring more than 70 works, the collection consists mainly of Impressionist paintings but also represents every important school of French art.
“The Mellons never intended to become systematic collectors, nor did they simply collect works because they considered them a good investment,” Provencher says. “Instead, they acquired art that appealed to their sensibilities – works that reflected their interests or recalled happy memories.”
Admission is $15, with museum members and children under 5 free. Visit okcmoa.com or call 405-236-3100.
