2010 Looks Like a Good Year for Art Lovers

This year is shaping up as a good year for viewing interesting exhibits at San Francisco's major museums.  On February 12, the Asian Art Museum opens "Shanghai," an exhibit focusing on the art of this great city over the past century.  Running through September 5, this exhibition is part of San Francisco's effort this year to celebrate our sister city, which will host a World Expo this year.  "Shanghai" features paintings, furniture, revolutionary posters, movie clips, and other works of art.

The de Young Museum is hosting three major exhibitions this year.  The Tutankhamun exhibition, which opened last summer and which I wrote about at the time, runs through March 28.  The Musée d'Orsay in Paris will be undergoing major renovations.  As a result, some of its major works will be on tour.  The de Young will be hosting two exhibitions featuring works from the d'Orsay.  The first, "Birth of Impressionism, Masterpieces from the Musée d’Orsay," runs from May 22 through September 6.  This show will feature over 100 pre and early Impressionistic works from the mid-19th century.  

Then, from September 25 through January 18, the de Young will host "Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cézanne and Beyond: Post-Impressionist Masterpieces from the Musée d’Orsay."  This exhibit will display over 120 of the museum's late Impressionist paintings.

Concurrently with "Birth of Impressionism," the Legion of Honor will show "Paris: City of Light," which will feature 150 Impressionistic works from the Fine Arts Museums' collection as well as from some private collections.

Lastly, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is celebrating its 75th anniversary and will show six exhibitions featuring works from its collection.

If you're an art lover, you'll have much to choose from this year.  And don't forget some of our smaller museums and galleries.