Producer Phil Grabsky during post-production of the film Pissarro: Father Of Impressionis [photo David Bickerstaff]

The success of the Ashmolean’s current Pissarro: Father of Impressionism is unarguable, but news that a film has been made of the exhibition, which opens on May 24 at 300 nationwide cinemas including the Curzon Westgate and Phoenix Picturehouse, is still hugely exciting.

READ ABOUT THE EXHIBITION HERE: https://www.oxinabox.co.uk/what-to-expect-pissarro-father-of-impressionism-opens-at-oxfords-ashmolean-to-great-acclaim/

And we have managed to get our hands on a pair of tickets to see the new Pissarro: Father of Impressionism film at either the Curzon Westgate and Phoenix Picturehouse on May 24, plus two tickets to the exhibition and a catalogue, to giveaway.

Conservator Jevon Thistlewood examing Pissarro painting [photo Simon Fenton]

The feature-length film is produced by Exhibition on Screen (EoS) and inspired by The Ashmolean exhibition which runs until June 12.

Colin Harrison, curator of Pissarro: Father of Impressionsim says:  “I never expected to be involved in a feature film that would hit the big screen around the world. I hope the current show, and the film, enriches audiences with a new understanding of Pissarro and Impressionism in bringing the artists, their art, and circumstances alive. What’s more, the EoS film means this exhibition will live on longer than the Ashmolean ever thought possible.”

To date, EoS have released 26 art films, shown in over 66 countries working with, amongst many others, Tate, National Gallery, Royal Academy, Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam and Musee D’Orsay in Paris. 

Filming curator Colin Harrison in the Ashmolean’s Pissaro Gallery [photo David Bickerstaff]

The Ashmolean’s Claire Parris, who oversaw the relationship says: “We were delighted to be asked to partner with a film about Pissarro, and provide the Ashmolean with an extraordinary new platform to reach a broader audience, via the cinema.”

“We have always been aware that not everyone can enjoy and experience all that the Ashmolean offers in person, and aim to enhance accessibility, engagement and interaction amongst visitors who cannot get to Oxford and wander through our doors. 

Curator Colin Harrison unboxing Pissarro letters with director David Bickerstaff (right) [photo Simon Fenton]

For EoS, the Ashmolean’s enviable position as home to the largest archived collection of an Impressionist in the world – given to the University of Oxford in 1952 by the Pissarro family and cared for by Colin Harrison, the curator of the critically-acclaimed and extremely popular exhibition now running at the museum. 

In the film, Director David Bickerstaff complemented Colin’s interpretation of the Ashmolean’s Pissarro exhibition with filming on location in France and Switzerland. Interviews with the Ashmolean’s Director Xa Sturgis, Colin and other international Pissarro experts all appear in the final cut and provide additional stories.

“Pissarro was a dedicated family man, generous with his advice, passionate about experimentation, astute, well-read, socially aware and an anarchist. He was a great letter writer, a gift to a documentary maker as it gives an intimate insight into Pissarro’s world, the influence he had, and the encouragement he gave to fellow Impressionists – and his unerring approach to making art,” he says. 

Pissarro at easel looking at camera (photo5008)

MORE DETAILS: The Curzon Westgate and Phoenix Picturehouse will be screening the film on 24 May. Also available to download, or on DVD, at exhibitiononscreen.com    

Pissarro: Father of Impression runs to 12 June at the Ashmolean and is sponsored by the Stern Picasso Gallery. Booking essential at Ashmolean.org 

COMPETITION DETAILS: 
To win a pair of tickets to a screening of the film on 24 May at either the Curzon Oxford, or Phoenix Picturehouse; two tickets and a catalogue to the Ashmolean exhibition all you have to do is follow us, tag us, like and share the relevant posts on social media. 

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Competition Terms

  • Prize: A pair of tickets to a screening of the film on 24 May at either the Curzon Oxford, or Phoenix Picturehouse; two tickets and a catalogue to the Ashmolean exhibition
  • Prizes are not transferable and may not be used in conjunction with any other offer.
  • There are no cash alternatives.  
  • You must be 18 years old or older to enter
  • The closing date for entries is Sunday May 16 at midnight. 
  • Our decision is final and no correspondence can be entered into. 

For full terms and conditions go to: https://www.oxinabox.co.uk/ox-in-a-box-competition-terms-and-conditions/