"Claude Monet: The Truth of Nature" is the most comprehensive U.S. exhibition of the impressionist artist's work in more than 20 years -- and Denver will be the only American city to host it, and only one of two cities to host it worldwide.
But more on all that in a moment. Let's get right to business because this first item is quite urgent.
1. Tickets are already on sale so get yours right now. Literally right now.
You can buy them here or by calling 720-913-0130. The exhibit starts Oct. 21.
In case you're new to visiting the DAM, here are some basics to know:
- Special exhibits like this one require a ticket;
- This ticket is separate from your general admission to the museum;
- When you purchase it, you'll select a date and entry time to see the exhibit.
There are 85 tickets available for each entry time, and entry times are spaced 15 minutes apart. They're already selling out for much of the first weeks.
Tickets for adult members are $22 and tickets for adult non-members are $27. Kids ages 6 to 18 can see it for $5 and kids 5 and younger get in for free.
2. Learn about the exhibit basics.
It's a very big deal.
With more than 120 paintings covering Monet's entire art life, it's the most comprehensive exhibit of his work shown in the U.S. in more than two decades. Denver will be the only U.S. city to host it. (It wasn't a competition, though. The exhibit was the DAM's idea.) After it closes in Denver, "Claude Monet: The Truth of Nature" will travel to the Museum Barberini in Potsdam, Germany, which co-organized it.
The DAM already has some Monet pieces of its own, but contributions are of course coming in from all over the world. Among the lenders are the Musée d'Orsay, Paris; Musée Marmottan Monet, Paris; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; The Art Institute of Chicago; and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
Here's what the exhibit will explore, per the DAM:
- "Monet's continuous dialogue with nature and its places through a thematic and chronological arrangement, from the first examples of artworks still indebted to the landscape tradition to the revolutionary compositions and series of his late years."
- "Monet's continuous interest in capturing the quickly changing atmospheres, the reflective qualities of water and the effects of light, aspects that increasingly led him to work on multiple canvases at once."
- "The critical shift in Monet's painting when he began to focus on series of the same subject, including artworks from his series of Haystacks, Poplars, Waterloo Bridge, and Waterlilies."
- "The artist's increasing abandonment of any human presence in the landscapes he created, a testimony to his commitment to isolate himself in nature."
3. Read up on Monet, if you're feeling studious.
There's a nice, short biography over at claudemonetgallery.org.
4. Know when and how to visit the Denver Art Museum.
The DAM is at 100 W. 14th Avenue Parkway.
If you're visiting or new here, don't worry, you can't miss it. It's the big pointy building.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends and Monday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday.
General admission for Colorado residents is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, military and students, and free for members and kids. General admission for out-of-state visitors is $13 for adults, $10 for seniors, military and students, and free for members and kids.
Colorado residents who are SNAP cardholders can get $1 per person tickets for up to 10 people with a valid Colorado SNAP debit card at the museum.
5. Have a nice time.
You're cool and your hair looks nice today.
