ORLANDO, FL.- Paths to Impressionism: French and American Landscape Paintings from the Worcester Art Museum is showing through December 31, 2006. With all the bustle of the holidays, you'll have a chance to unwind while viewing lush landscapes and sun-dappled harbors from around the world. Impressionism, a major movement in painting that developed chiefly in France during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, comprises the work by a group of artists who shared a set of related approaches and techniques. Impressionists attempted to accurately and objectively record visual reality in terms of transient effects of light and color.

"What's unique and exciting about this exhibition is that French and American Impressionist works are shown side by side," said Marena Grant Morrisey, Executive Director of the Orlando Museum of Art. "This exhibition allows the viewer to see the French influence on American Impressionist artists."

Characteristics of Impressionist painting include visible brushstrokes, use of pure color, open composition, emphasis on the changing effects of light (often accentuating the passage of time), ordinary subject matter, and unusual visual angles.

Museum visitors will be taken on a journey through landscapes depicting expansive countryside views, romanticized scenes of peasants, bustling townscapes, city parks, and rural gardens.

"This is truly a world-class experience right here in our own back yard," said Morrisey. "When all those relatives start visiting for the holidays, send them here. They won't be disappointed."

The exhibition will highlight artistic and historic discovery, and will trace the roots of Impressionism back to the French artists of the Barbizon School, named for the rural village of Barbizon, in and around which they worked.

Paths to Impressionism features masterworks from the Worcester Art Museum's permanent collection, including paintings by such luminaries as Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, Alfred Sisley, George Inness, Childe Hassam and John Singer Sargent.