Greenwich Historical Society Exhibition on J.H. Twachtman: A Founder of American Impressionism

 Life and Art: The Greenwich Paintings of John Henry Twachtman

October 19, 2022–January 22, 2023

 An array of artworks by the celebrated American Impressionist artist John Henry Twachtman that depict his home and its surrounding landscape in Greenwich, Conn., where he lived from 1890 to 1899 will be presented by the Greenwich Historical Society. During this period Twachtman reached artistic maturity and produced many of his best-known works. Featuring 18 artworks on loan from museums and private collections, Life and Art presents a unique view into an era when Twachtman earned a reputation as the most original of the leading American Impressionists.

“This is one of our most important and ambitious exhibitions since our founding 90 years ago,” says Debra Mecky, Historical Society Executive Director and CEO. “We are honored to showcase the works of an artist who was instrumental in launching American Impressionism and who had a direct link to Greenwich. In addition to producing many highly acclaimed works here, he taught art classes in Cos Cob on the site of our campus and lodged in what is now the National Historic Landmark Bush-Holley House. Through his presence and that of his friends and students, Cos Cob became a cradle of American Impressionism.”

Known during his lifetime as a “painter’s painter” whose works were appreciated by fellow artists more than the general public, today Twachtman is regarded as among the most innovative American artists of the late-19^th century. His paintings are present in many of the country’s leading museums and collections of American art.

Life and Art is curated byLisa N. Peters, Ph.D., an independent scholar and the author of John Henry Twachtman: An American Impressionist (High Museum of Art, Atlanta), as well as several other publications on Twachtman and American art. The exhibition is accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue featuring an essay by Dr. Peters, incorporating insights gleaned from architectural study of Twachtman’s house, now privately owned.

The exhibition runs from October 19 - January 22, 2023, at the Greenwich Historical Society, located at 47 Strickland Rd., Cos Cob, Conn. The Historical Society’s galleries are open Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 to 4:00 pm. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors, and free to children under 18 and Greenwich Historical Society Members. For more information: https://greenwichhistory.org/twachtman/.

Photo caption: John Henry Twachtman (American, 1853-1902), In the Garden, ca. 1895-99. Oil on canvas. 30 x 25 inches. Private collection.