Dixon Museum Review: The Road to Impressionism: Barbizon Paintings from the Walters Art Museum

This fine exhibition features mid nineteenth century paintings from the Barbizon school, named after the French village of Barizon near Foutainbleau Forest. Instead of using nature as a backdrop for their paintings, this group used nature as both subject and inspiration. The style of painting is generally considered the forerunner of late nineteenth century Impressionism.

Also at the Dixon is a wonderful companion show The Road to Claude Monet: Four Paintings and Three Others. The exhibit includes four Monet’s and works of Camille Corot, Alfred Sisley and Camille Passaro. Featured paintings are from both the Dixon’s permanent collection and a private art collector in San Francisco.