In November 2025, the National Museum of Korea will present a monumental special exhibition introducing a significant trend in world art history to Korea. This exhibition, titled "From Impressionism to Early Modernism, People Who Collected Light," centers around the Robert Lehman Collection, a proud possession of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. This exhibition, planned around the Robert Lehman Collection, a proud possession of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, is the first in Korea to explore the transition of art from Impressionism to Modernism through the discerning eye of a collector. Held from November 14, 2026, to March 15, 2026, at Special Exhibition Hall 1 of the National Museum of Korea, this exhibition vividly conveys the journey of masters who sought light and captured it on canvas, featuring a total of 81 pieces from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This exhibition offers an opportunity to deeply explore how art changes and evolves, going beyond a mere display of artworks.
This special exhibition is a rare opportunity to see works by masters who represent the Impressionist and early Modernist periods. Vincent van Gogh's 'Flowering Orchard' is one of his early series painted in Arles, vividly preserving the intense sunlight of the south and Van Gogh's unique brushstrokes. Additionally, Camille Pissarro's 'Boulevard Montmartre in Winter Morning' depicts the vibrant scene of modern Paris, and Georges Seurat's 'Study for A Sunday on La Grande Jatte' captures the leisurely scenery of Parisians spending their weekends. Works such as Renoir's 'Two Young Girls at the Piano' are significant in showing that Impressionist art began to be recognized by the state. Like this, the exhibition helps visitors understand the historical background and art-historical significance of each artwork in depth.
The 'Robert Lehman Collection' is a vast collection accumulated over two generations, starting from Philip Lehman in the 1910s to Robert Lehman. This exhibition consists of 65 paintings and drawings from this collection, with the addition of 16 major works from the European paintings, modern and contemporary art, American art, and drawing and prints departments of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, totaling 81 pieces. Since the Lehman Collection works have rarely been lent individually, the planning of such a large-scale exhibition is considered a very special attempt. The experience of seeing the flow from Impressionism to early Modernism through the eyes of a collector will provide deep inspiration to art lovers.
This special exhibition consists of a prologue and an epilogue, and explores the changes in art through five main keywords: 'Body, Portrait and Individuality, Nature, City and Countryside, Waves'. You can follow how painters newly interpreted traditional genres (nude paintings, portraits, landscapes) and depicted the lives and scenery of the time with new techniques. You can closely observe the influence of social changes on art and the trend of Impressionism leading to Modernism, and look at familiar Impressionism with a new perspective. The arrangement and flow of the works inside the exhibition hall are also organized around these keywords, helping visitors to understand the works in depth by theme.
This exhibition focuses on understanding how art interacted with and developed with the times, beyond simply appreciating famous paintings. Pause in front of each work and imagine the artist's perspective, techniques, and the social conditions of the time. The exhibition shows in various ways the efforts of painters who tried to capture the changes of light and its impressions on canvas. In particular, as the Lehman Collection, a representative collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is being unveiled for the first time in Korea, it will be a very meaningful experience to directly confirm its historical and artistic value. This exhibition by the National Museum of Korea is a significant event that has brought the important 'light' of world art history to Korea.
The National Museum of Korea plans to operate various related programs during the exhibition period, such as conversations with curators and special lectures. You can improve your understanding of the works by listening to in-depth explanations and behind-the-scenes stories about the exhibition. It is recommended to check and reserve the exhibition commentary times and program schedule through the National Museum of Korea's official website (https://www.museum.go.kr) before visiting. In addition, it will help you enjoy the exhibition more richly to find preliminary information about the Robert Lehman Collection on the Metropolitan Museum of Art website (https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search?q=Robert+Lehman+Collection). The design of the exhibition space has also used the patterns seen in the works to create an interior effect, so appreciating the space itself will provide another kind of fun.
The special exhibition of the National Museum of Korea, "From Impressionism to Early Modernism, People Who Collected Light," is more than just an art exhibition; it is a vivid historical evidence showing how art has breathed and evolved with the changes of the times. This exhibition, where masterpieces from the Metropolitan Museum of Art come together, offers Korean visitors a special opportunity to directly experience an important moment in world art history. We hope you will feel the passion of the painters who explored light and captured impressions on canvas, and the vision of Robert Lehman who opened a new era of art through their works. We strongly recommend that you experience the vitality of art and the moment of impression drenched in light through this exhibition.
Q1: When is the main exhibition period for this special exhibition?
A1: It will be held from November 14, 2025, to March 15, 2026, at Special Exhibition Hall 1 of the National Museum of Korea.
Q2: What major works can be seen?
A2: You can see 81 works representing Impressionism and early Modernism, including Vincent van Gogh's 'Flowering Orchard', Camille Pissarro's 'Boulevard Montmartre in Winter Morning', Georges Seurat's 'Study for A Sunday on La Grande Jatte', and Renoir's 'Two Young Girls at the Piano'.
Q3: What makes the Robert Lehman Collection special?
A3: The Robert Lehman Collection is a vast collection accumulated over two generations, and it is a representative collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In particular, it is very unusual for the works of this collection to be exhibited overseas on such a large scale.
Q4: Are there any tips for viewing the exhibition more effectively?
A4: The exhibition is organized around five keywords: 'Body, Portrait and Individuality, Nature, City and Countryside, Waves'. By keeping these keywords in mind, you can understand the transition of art more deeply when appreciating the works. It is also a good idea to check and participate in related program information on the National Museum of Korea's website.
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