Collections in Motion (1)

The Villa Vauban – Luxembourg City Art Museum presents artworks from its various collections in a new exhibition featuring over 40 paintings that have rarely or never before been displayed. Thereby the museum focuses on less well-known collections such as that of Élise Hack who bequeathed valuable oil paintings, aquarelles, and prints to the city in 1922.

The focus of the museum’s painting collection is work from the 17th to the early 20th century. “Collections in motion” is not a permanent exhibition but a series of alternating exhibitions that display parts of the collection. Collaborations with other collections are also planned for the future.

To mark the first round of this new exhibition format, famous painters such as David Teniers the Younger (1610-1690) and his Flemish Interior with Slaughtered Ox, Jacob van Ruisdael (1628-1682) and Canaletto (1697-1768) are featured as well as paintings by less well-known masters who are waiting to be rediscovered. Notable here are paintings from the mid 19th century, a period that was previously regarded as not very innovative but has recently experienced a surge in appreciation by the art community. Pieces such as the Kitchen Interior by Denis Pierre Bergeret (1846-1910), the Chess Players by Christoffel Bisschop (1828-1904), Woman with a Young Girl at the Spinning Wheel by Léon Emile Caille (1836-1907), The Letter by Johann Cornelius Mertz (1819-1891), View of Venice by Jean-Baptiste Joseph Olive (1848-1936) and Boulevard of Elms by Joseph Thors (1835-1884) show that 19th-century painters have been unfairly undervalued.

The thematic arrangement of the works allows for varied and occasionally entertaining comparison of paintings, which not only encourages a reappraisal of the collection but, more importantly, will spark the viewer’s interest. The grouping of still life, interior, landscape and architectural views opens a lively new insight into the history of painting. The final room of the exhibition tour is for example dedicated to three views of Venice, the differences and similarities of which are a true feast for the eyes.