The "Inspiring Impressionism: The Impressionists and the Art of the Past" exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum brings to light the artists of the past that helped to shape the art of the impressionists and the art of the future.

The exhibit aims at showing what it was that inspired the impressionists.
Some paintings, such as a series in the front room by Manet and Valezquez (picture), show how a lot of the art from the impressionist school has really taken art from the past and recycled it with a new eye.

"A Schoolboy Sleeping on His Book" (1755), Jean-Baptiste Greuze. Oil on canvas. Musée Fabre, Montpellier Agglomération, France. Photo by Cliff DesPeaux/Seattle P-I

"[This exhibit shows] what the impressionists were studying, whether they knew it or not," said Nicole Griffin, associate manager of public relations.

The exhibit has been in the works since 2000, said Griffin, but because of the remodeling of SAM, the exhibit had to be put on hold.

Normally, a show like this one would take about two years to plan, according to Griffin.
"These painting are in demand," she said.

The exhibit, which has been on display for just under a month, has received a lot of positive feedback from the community, and from tourists.

"I really like how [the Seattle Art Museum] is taking classic renaissance art and pairing it with the impressionists," said Jacqueline Brecklin, a first-time visitor to SAM from Tampa, Fla. "If I lived here, I would come here a lot," she added.

Going through the exhibit is like an interactive art lesson.

Photo by Cliff DesPeaux/Seattle P-I

Looking at pieces, side by side, the viewer can see how the impressionist artists were influenced by the art before them.

But the curator of the museum took special care not to overwhelm the consumer.

The final room of the exhibit has just a few impressionist paintings that the viewer can take as she pleases, according to Griffin. After seeing and learning what the impressionists got their inspiration from, the viewer can look at the paintings with a "new eye," she said.

On display through September 21, the impressionist exhibit is only one of many at SAM – but one that I suggest is $20 well spent.