Shades of Grey brings together ten paintings by French painter Louis Welden Hawkins (1849-1910), all from the original Owens collection that was acquired in Europe in the late Nineteenth century. These paintings are contextualized within the school of Naturalism and the artists’ colonies that existed in France in the late 1800s. While the French Impressionists commonly dominate the history of later Nineteenth century art, the story often goes untold of the artists who resisted the celebration of the city that commonly infused Impressionism, and migrated to the countryside, where artistic colonies began to develop. Hawkins was one of these artists, and his paintings depicting peasants and rural life were executed in the picturesque artistic communities of Barbizon and Grez-sur-Loing.
The Owens’ collection of paintings by Hawkins is in fact the largest public collection of his work; Hawkins’ paintings are seldom exhibited and very little scholarship has existed on his life and work. Shades of Grey, presents an unprecedented look at Hawkins’ life, his work, and the framework within which these unfolded.
There will be an opening reception for Shades of Grey on January 19th at 7 PM and an illustrated talk by exhibition curator Anne Koval entitled L.W. Hawkins at Grez-sur-Loing. Shades of Gray: A Closer Look at the Work of L.W. Hawkins will be on display at the Owens Art Gallery from January 8 - February 14th.
For more information, please contact Sara Williamson, Gallery Intern, sewilliamson@mta.ca or 506-364-2574.