The art of Impressionist-era creators is in the spotlight during a 2-day visit to three of Philadelphia’s outstanding collections led by art historian Ursula Rehn Wolfman.
Begin with a guided tour of the Philadelphia Museum of Art exhibition “Mary Cassatt at Work,” devoted to the works of the celebrated Pennsylvania-born Impressionist, who challenged the conventional expectations of Philadelphia’s elite. This is the first major showing of the artist’s oeuvre since 1998–99 and presents new findings about the materials she used and her processes, which were advanced for her era. The exhibition displays over 130 works that follow Cassatt’s evolving practice and demonstrate her interest in artmaking.
Works by Renoir, Cezanne, Seurat, Monet, Manet, and Degas are among the treasures in the Barnes museum’s collection of French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. The exhibition “Matisse & Renoir: New Encounters at the Barnes” places masterpieces from the same period near each other and traces the development of the work of these two artists. Enjoy a private guided tour of the galleries before the museum opens to the public and then time on your own before lunch in the museum’s Garden Pavilion.
Focus on the art and legacy of one of France’s most influential sculptors during a visit to the Rodin Museum. Showcased in an elegant Beaux-Arts–style building, the collection of nearly 150 bronze, marble, and plaster sculptures represents every phase of Auguste Rodin’s career. It is one of the most comprehensive public collections of Rodin’s work outside Paris.
Dinner is at the festive Victor Cafe, featuring classic Italian cuisine and performances of operatic favorites by the talented servers. Hotel accommodations are at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco.
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit*
Know Before You Go
- Cost includes bus transportation, lodging, all activities, and select meals: 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, and 1 dinner.
- Overnight accommodations are at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco.
- Tour departs by bus from the Mayflower Hotel, Connecticut Ave. and DeSales St., NW., with a pickup stop at the I-495, Exit 27 carpool lot at about 7:25 a.m.
- Single-room supplement $110 (factored into the Single Room Member and Single Room Non-Member pricing).
- Singles registering at the double-room rate are paired (on a nonsmoking basis) if possible, but must pay the single-room supplement otherwise.
- Detailed information is emailed to registrants about four weeks prior to departure.
- Participants are advised to purchase travel insurance for overnight and multi-day tours from a provider of your choice. Travel insurance provides additional coverage against unforeseen incidents that require last-minute cancellations.
General Information
- Registration for this tour will end by 2 p.m. ET on Friday, August 9, 2024.
- The tour departs by motorcoach from downtown Washington, DC with a designated secondary pick-up outside the city. Content delivered by the study leader on the way to the destination, after the secondary pick-up, is an integral part of the study tour experience. Meeting the group once the tour is en route is discouraged.
- Smithsonian Associates is a mask-friendly environment. Please feel free to bring and wear a mask at any time during a tour, both for your safety or the safety of others.
- As we aim to move away from single use water bottles, guests are strongly encouraged to get in the habit of bringing their own reusable water bottle on tour.
- For additional tour information:
*Enrolled participants in the World Art History Certificate Program receive 1 elective credit. Not yet enrolled? Learn about the program, its benefits, and how to register here.
