Edgar Degas was one of the founding members of impressionism,  He hated the term “impressionism” and didn’t want a label. All his paintings were created from memory and imagination – he loved to say that “no art can be less spontaneous than mine.”

Racehorses at Longchamp - a painting of jockeys on their horses hanging about the track at the end of a race was interestingly Degas first work to be bought by an American museum, the Museum of Fine Art, Boston. 

See Racehorses at Longchamp here - https://collections.mfa.org/objects/31229?image=1

HSBC proudly presents “Beyond the Frame” a look behind the bigger picture of some of the world’s most important Impressionist art. In this season we’re looking at the rebellion of the French Impressionists – it wasn’t all dreamy brushwork, but a movement that was rife with bravery, breaking stereotypes and smashing perceptions.  

Across this series we go back 150 years to discover some of the surprising stories behind 6 iconic impressionist artworks, -- one painting per episode.  Warning: this isn’t your usual art history series.

If you like what you hear in your “Beyond the Frame” experience, see these renowned artworks for yourself in the National Gallery of Victoria’s exhibition French Impressionism from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, proudly supported by HSBC. Open now until October 3. For tickets visit ngv.melbourne.

For more information on the podcast head to hsbc.com.au/beyond-the-frame.