Adolphe Valette: A Pioneer of Impressionism in Manchester - Adolphe Valette: A Pioneer of Impressionism in Manchester

The exhibition - Adolphe Valette: A Pioneer of Impressionism in Manchester - Adolphe Valette: A Pioneer of Impressionism is on at the Lowry until Jan 29 and well worth a trip. It is inevitable that the exhibition is used as a vehicle to display Lowry's work but I found the juxtaposition of work by Lowry and Valette (One of his teachers) fascinating. It served to emphasize the style that Lowry adopted early on and was particularly noticeable in the drawings of 'Antiques' that were on display. I found it difficult to believe that Valette's drawings were done using charcoal.

Adolphe Valette Manchester Ship Canal
Nicholas and Anthony Goeritz Collection

Rather like Lowry, Valette is known largely for his atmospheric industrial landscapes, at least in Manchester where he lived and taught for several years, so it was interesting to see that, less like Lowry, he painted in a variety of styles and used a range of subject matter for his work.