American Pie Band Camp - Bank Of America Sponsors Landmark Exhibition In Boston And New York: Americans In Paris, 1860−1900; Show Features Masterpieces Of The 19th Century

This summer and fall, Americans will have the chance to see many late-19th-century masterpieces together for the first time in the U.S. presentation of Americans in Paris, 1860-1900. Sponsored by Bank of America in Boston and New York, this major exhibition of over 100 important paintings explores a time when American artists flocked to the French capital, lured by a life of art study, camaraderie and possible fame.

Americans in Paris will be on view at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston through Sept. 24 and at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art from Oct. 17 through Jan. 28, 2007.

This exhibition represents an extraordinary collaboration between these two great museums to shape a truly unique international exhibition. It also provides an opportunity for residents and visitors to these two great American cities to experience some of our nation's finest paintings in the context of an innovative and beautiful show.

After the Civil War, thousands of American artists traveled to Paris to study, visit exhibitions and show their own work. Americans in Paris reveals the importance of the pieces that these Americans produced and exhibited in the French capital from 1860 to 1900, including famous paintings such as Winslow Homer's "A Summer Night" (1890) and John Singer Sargent's provocative "Madame X" (1883-1884).

Also on display are the dynamic experiments of Mary Cassatt-the only American invited to show her work with the Impressionists-such as "Little Girl in a Blue Armchair" (1878) and "Woman with a Pearl Necklace in a Loge" (1879).

"Bank of America is proud to sponsor this extraordinary exhibition of timeless American masterpieces and to invite all in the U.S. to enjoy it," said Anne M. Finucane, Chief Marketing Officer and Northeast President, Bank of America. "This exhibition represents our nation's artistic heritage, and gives us a window into the lives and ambitions of some of the most influential American artists during a period when they created many of this country's most admired paintings."

Americans in Paris, 1860-1900 looks at why Paris functioned as a magnet for American artists, what they found there, how they responded to it and what they retained from the experience on their return to the United States. It is a must-see for anyone living in or traveling to Boston this summer or New York City in the fall.

For more information, please visit the Web sites of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and The Metropolitan Museum of Art at and -ARA