The Collectionists: When Impressionist Art Changed Hands at Théâtre Montparnasse

Immerse yourself in the destiny of Paul Durand-Ruel with Les Collectionnistes, a play by François Barluet, directed by Christophe Lidon, at Théâtre Montparnasse until May 4, 2025.

At the end of the 19th century, one man changed the fate of Impressionist painters forever. Les Collectionnistes, written by François Barluet and directed by Christophe Lidon, plunges us into the fascinating story of Paul Durand-Ruel, a visionary art dealer who dared to bet on Monet, Renoir and Degas, despite the incomprehension of his time. With Christelle Rebou, Christophe de Mareuil, Frédéric Imberty and Victor Bourigault, this show traces the extraordinary career of a pioneer who revolutionized the art market.

In 1870, in the midst of the Franco-Prussian war, Paul Durand-Ruel fled to London, where he crossed paths with Claude Monet. Back in Paris, he discovered and supported Renoir, Degas, Pissarro and other unknown painters he considered visionaries. Convinced by their talent, he invested lavishly, buying their works by the hundreds... to the point of jeopardizing his own fortune. Meanwhile, his wife, a shrewd and determined strategist, does her utmost to avoid financial disaster and help her husband gain recognition for these revolutionary artists.

Les Collectionnistes will appeal to art lovers, history buffs and audiences with a taste for stories where ambition and daring collide with the realities of the world. The play sheds light on a figure who often remains in the shadows, despite his key role in the rise of Impressionism. Christophe Lidon 's breathtaking staging promises an immersive journey through the salons of the 19th century, between aesthetic debates and commercial stakes.

Stage director and set designerChristophe Lidon is renowned for his ability to accurately recreate eras rich in artistic upheaval. With Les Collectionnistes, he offers a behind-the-scenes look at Impressionist art, supported by a committed cast and a text blending passion, humor and historical issues.

With Les Collectionnistes, Théâtre Montparnasse presents a captivating theatrical fresco about one man's fight to impose an artistic revolution. Part drama, part comedy, the play offers an enlightened look at the birth of Impressionism and the little-known role of Paul Durand-Ruel, the great patron of an art form that is now inescapable.

This article is based on information available online, we have not yet seen the show or play mentioned.

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