From Gérôme to Monet: Stories from the 19th-Century Collection now on view at the Walters

Baltimore, MD (February 18, 2026)–The Walters Art Museum announced today the opening of From Gérôme to Monet: Stories from the 19th-Century Collection, a focused exhibition that explores the different, overlapping, and sometimes conflicting ideas that existed in the 19th century about how paintings should tell stories and connect with their audiences. Curated from the Walters collection, the exhibition places works by officially recognized artists trained at government-sponsored art schools side by side with paintings completed in the same years by the Impressionists, illustrating the two contrasting, yet coexisting, schools of thought. The installation comprises 20 paintings and one sculpture and will be on view in Hackerman House at 1 West Mount Vernon Place through May 31.

The first Impressionist group exhibition was held in Paris in 1874. At first, the broad, unblended brushstrokes used by the Impressionists shocked contemporary viewers, who were used to the polished and detailed work of academically trained painters. Now, 150 years later, the Impressionists’ subjective approach to painting is perhaps more admired than the empirical approach of establishment painters to whom they were compared. The exhibition includes Springtime (1872) by Claude Monet; Sappho and Alcaeus (1881) by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema; The Tulip Folly (1882) by Jean-Léon Gérôme, and more works that explore the variety of narrative and artistic approaches painters used in the 19th century.

“We know that visitors love our collection of 18th- and 19th-century painting and sculpture, and we are pleased to put these well-known artworks back on view for them to experience once again, this time with a new perspective,” said Jo Briggs, Jennie Walters Delano Curator of 18th- and 19th-Century Art. “Fans of these works will be excited to learn that this display is just a taste of a larger installation of works from this collection area currently being planned for Hackerman House in 2027.” 

From Gérôme to Monet: Stories from the 19th-Century Collection marks the first time that a large number of paintings will be installed in Hackerman House, and the first time in over a decade that the museum’s collection of Impressionist paintings will be on view in one contiguous space.

The exhibition is curated by Jo Briggs, Jennie Walters Delano Curator of 18th- and 19th-Century Art.

This exhibition is made possible thanks to the Presenting Sponsor PNC Bank.

About the Walters Art Museum

The Walters Art Museum is a cultural hub in the heart of Baltimore, located in the city’s Mount Vernon neighborhood. The museum’s collection spans more than seven millennia, from 5,000 BCE to the 21st century, and encompasses 36,000 objects from around the world. Walking through the museum’s historic buildings, visitors encounter a stunning panorama of thousands of years of art, from romantic 19th-century images of French gardens to mesmerizing Ethiopian icons, richly illuminated Qur’ans and Gospel books, ancient Roman sarcophagi, and serene images of the Buddha. Since its founding, the Walters mission has been to bring art and people together to create a place where people of every background can be touched by art. As part of this commitment, admission to the museum and special exhibitions is always free.

Admission to the museum is free. The Walters Art Museum is located at 600 N. Charles St., north of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. For general museum information, call 410-547-9000 or visit thewalters.org.

Free admission to the Walters Art Museum is made possible through the combined generosity of individual members and donors, foundations, corporations, and grants from the City of Baltimore, Maryland State Arts Council, Citizens of Baltimore County, Howard County Government, and Howard County Arts Council.