First uncrating of Musée d’Orsay treasures at the de Young

Mama made it! Just in time for Mother’s Day, today the de Young hosted a special uncrating of the famous painting, “Whistler’s Mother”.

The painting is on loan from the Musée d’Orsay in Paris who is lending out some of their most famous works while the museum undergoes remodeling. On May 22, the de Young will open Birth of Impressionism: Masterpieces from the Musée d’Orsay, the first of two consecutive exhibitions featuring works from the Paris landmark.

The Birth of Impressionism show presents nearly 100 magnificent works by the famous masters who called France their home during the mid to late 19th century and from whose midst arose one of the most original and recognizable of all artistic styles, Impressionism.

The exhibition begins with paintings by the great academic artist Bouguereau and the arch-Realist Courbet, and includes American expatriate Whistler’s Arrangement in Gray and Black, known to many as “Whistler’s Mother.” Manet, Monet, Renoir, and Sisley are showcased with works dating from the 1860s through 1880s, along with a selection of Degas’ paintings that depict images of the ballet, the racetrack, and life in the Belle Époque.

Tickets are already available for purchase on the exhibition website. If you are a member of the de Young Museum, you can reserve free tickets for the exhibition.

SFCitizen also has some nice pics of “Whistler’s Mother” finally getting some air after her long journey from Paris.

Sarah B.