Home • About • Calendar • People • Forum • Archive
Sept. 10, 2004 • Volume 13 Number 1
"In Fosset. Evening" (detail) will be among the works of Fernand Khnopff exhibited at the McMullen Museum this fall.
McMullen to Showcase Eminent Symbolist Khnopff
Exclusive N. American showing of exhibition to begin on Sept. 19
By Rosanne Pellegrini
Staff Writer
The McMullen Museum of Art will showcase a major figure of the European Symbolist movement this fall when it hosts the exclusive North American showing of the exhibition "Fernand Khnopff: Inner Visions and Landscapes," from Sept. 19 to Dec. 5.
This major retrospective on Khnopff, which debuted in Brussels to accolades in the European press and drew more than 163,000 visitors, is the first of its kind to be shown in America, say McMullen exhibition organizers.
"Khnopff is less well known in North America than his historical importance and extraordinary talent merit," said McMullen Museum Director Prof. Nancy Netzer (Fine Arts). "Khnopff's paintings open a window for visitors to explore ways in which the Symbolist movement extended the evocative power of images to capture experiences and states of mind beyond common awareness."
The exhibition includes Khnopff's most important works from the Royal Art Museums in Brussels and many from private collections in Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, France and the United States, as well as two masterpieces that inspired Khnopff: James Ensor's "The Russian Music" and Dante Gabriel Rossetti's "Rosa Triplex."
A public event will be held on Sept. 20 from 7-9 p.m. to celebrate the opening of the exhibition.
"Fernand Khnopff: Inner Visions and Landscapes" presents all aspects of the artist's remarkable oeuvre, including realist landscapes and mystical symbolist visionary art, say exhibition organizers. The works illustrate the artist's fascination with dreams and the unconscious, and his interest in religion.
The exhibition reveals Khnopff (1858-1921) as a multi-faceted artist, working not only as a painter and draughtsman in oils, pastels and mixed techniques, but also as a sculptor, engraver and architect. He also produced many photographs of his works, which he later enhanced with pastels or colored crayon. Khnopff was in constant demand, illustrating books by his Symbolist contemporaries as well as programs for charity and patriotic events, theater designs, and even a banknote, which was never produced.
Prof. Jeffery Howe (Fine Arts), a specialist in Khnopff's art who serves as chief curator for the McMullen Museum exhibition, collaborated on the fully illustrated scholarly catalogue for this exhibition, which is published in French, Dutch, German and English editions.
"Fernand Khnopff is widely recognized as one of the most important artists of the Symbolist era," said Howe. "With its striking compositions, perfect technique, and enigmatic imagery, Khnopff's art stood out even in the bold avant-garde exhibitions of his era. His mysterious and profound works leave an unforgettable impression on the viewer. This chance to explore the full range of Khnopff's distinctive contribution to modern art is an important and welcome opportunity."
A host of lectures, films, concerts and readings will accompany the exhibition. These include an Oct. 4 lecture on Khnopff and Symbolist landscape by Howe, who also will be part of an Oct. 21 panel discussion, "Symbolism and Decadence," with Asst. Prof. Stephen Schloesser, SJ (History), and associate professors of Romance Languages Ourida Mostefai and Kevin Newmark. On Sept. 27, Assoc. Prof. Rachel Freudenberg (German Studies) and her students will present a lecture on German Symbolist poetry, and on Nov. 16 Joseph Spece '05 and other BC students will give a reading of "New Poetry Inspired by Khnopff."
More information on the exhibition and related events, as well as McMullen Museum days and hours of operation, is available at the museum World Wide Web site. •