By Alice Galakatos, Patron Program Committee member

In honor of the MFA’s 150th anniversary, the Museum planned to display its complete collection of 35 paintings by Claude Monet in April 2020 in the exhibition “Monet and Boston: Lasting Impression.” As we all know, events conspired to delay the in-person opening, though a virtual exhibition gave us all a sampler from home of what the real thing will be like this fall. “This is very special, a once-in-a-generation chance,” says Katie Hanson, curator of the exhibition and associate curator, Paintings, Art of Europe.

This exhibition showcases and highlights this unique collection and the MFA’s enduring commitment to Monet and 19th-century art. Bostonians were early fans of Impressionism, and the MFA started collecting Impressionist paintings shortly after its opening in 1870, acquiring its first Monets in 1906 and 1911. It was a visionary move. Since then, the MFA has assembled one of the largest collections of Monet paintings outside France. Many of these works of art were brought to Boston during Monet’s lifetime, and when he died in 1926, more than 20 of his paintings were already in the MFA’s holdings. Further purchases and donations have added up to the present 35-painting collection. What makes this collection so exceptional is that these works span the artist’s career, from 1863 to 1908. “This broad chronology allows us to make a very impressive Monet retrospective,” says Hanson.

This exhibition also puts Monet’s paintings in conversation with other works from the MFA’s global collections, such as the MFA’s renowned collection of Japanese woodblock prints and earlier European paintings, by artists that Monet greatly admired and were sources of inspiration.

So when the Museum reopens, it is fitting we celebrate our lasting love and admiration for this great artist. “Seeing all these paintings together is extraordinary and also a reminder of what great works of art have to offer. It’s hard not to get emotional when looking at these great works of art displayed together,” says Hanson.

The exhibition was originally scheduled to open on April 18. To serve our audiences during closure, the Museum produced the multimedia experience online, and now the exhibition is being installed in the Linde Family Wing for Contemporary Art with a new floor plan that allows for more space between the artworks and other measures to respect social distancing protocols. Patrons will be invited to celebrate a virtual opening of this incredible exhibition in the fall. I hope you will join us!