The Phantom of the Opera is there, inside the Skylands Museum of Art!
For those of us familiar with the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, it may be difficult not to sing that first line. However, the story of Erik, the eponymous phantom of the opera, did not begin on the stage, nor the screen, but rather on the pages of French author Gaston Leroux’s 1909 novel “Le Fantôme de l'Opéra.”
It is this novel that was reimagined by the late CFM Gallery owner and Skylands Museum co-founder, Neil Zukerman, and surrealist painter, Anne Bachelier. The idea to illustrate the novel was brought to Bachelier by Zukerman and together they worked to abridge the text and give it new life with a visual component in the ethereal style for which Bachelier is known.
The Phantom of the Opera opening reception event
When asked what has influenced this style, Bachelier responded “ I've always worked like this - It's my way of "speaking" if I may say so - I can't really explain why I paint like this. After my studies at the School of Fine Arts in the South of France, I, so to speak, regained my “freedom.” I thought that I could do what I liked. This imposed itself on me, as if it were obvious. What is important to me is the light – that’s what influences me when I can see the works of the great masters.”
In actuality, these illustrations are gorgeous oil paintings depicting key moments in the Phantom’s story. Twenty five of which are now on display at the Skylands Museum of Art in Lafayette Township, just in time for the 100th anniversary of the Lon Chaney film of the same name, the 150th anniversary of the Opera Garnier in Paris, the inspiration for the story’s illustrious setting, and the North American revival tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s popular musical. Serendipitous as it may have been, these anniversaries were not the impetus behind the exhibition. Rather, it was the knowledge that these paintings may never again be together in the United States that urged Skylands Museum founder Ailene Fields to act quickly.
Phantom releases the Chandelier
“I was privy to the fact that these paintings were leaving the country and immediately thought how wonderful it would be to keep them together a little longer - to share them with the world before they scatter.” Fields’ love for the artist and the medium is clear as her excitement for the work lifts off the page.
“I knew it would be a treat for our visitors to see this amazing work in person. The details are rich and best appreciated up close and personal. Fortunately, we have the gallery space and can quickly make the exhibition happen. I, personally, loved the story and the show. I’m a storyteller myself and built the museum around the characters of timeless stories from mythology, fairy tales, and literature,” adds Fields, who is herself an accomplished sculptor.
The museum’s Director of Marketing & Outreach, Lisa Burghart, shares that she “may be the only person on earth not to have seen the [musical]. To prepare for the exhibition, I read Anne Bachelier’s 2009 The Phantom of the Opera book, which gives a wonderful sense of the original Gothic tale by Gaston Leroux. Her illustrations visually tell the story alongside his text, which is presented in both (the original) French and English. Her paintings are richly detailed, exquisitely capturing the characters and drama. One visitor, who has a deep background in the arts, said the artist “presents the tale in a singular voice.”
Anne Bachelier was born in Louvigne du Desert, France and received her degree from the Ecole des Beaux Arts, La Seyne-Sur-Mer, between 1966 and 1970. A master of Surrealism, line, and detail, Bachelier feels her art. She does not overthink it. “It’s my hand that works. I don’t think about technique. If I were to think about technique, it is like walking on a tightrope. The moment you look at your feet, you fall down.” Her process begins with the creation of her canvas. Stretching fabric across wooden stretcher bars, stapling it in place, priming the canvas. Nothing ready-made, she brings it all to life from naught. Perhaps it is this element of birth from nothing that evokes such emotion in her patrons. She tells tales of patrons so overcome with sentiment that Bachelier herself worries for them. The responsibility for these reactions can be overwhelming for Bachelier, but it is this gift, her art, that connects so many.
Bachelier’s style, dealing largely in metamorphosis and chimeras, falls right in line with the Skylands Museum’s mission. According to Ailene Fields, “Our mission [is] to create a haven for Magic/Surrealism/Fantasy and Representational art; to tell the stories that make us human. I’m so pleased to have begun to accomplish that and to have people of all ages leave the museum smiling.” She goes on to express that their mission extends to bringing “new ways of approaching art to the public that honor the stories as well as the artists’ vision. These amazing Phantom of the Opera paintings are our first exhibit to do this. Anne’s creativity and techniques exemplify a unique vision, which we are very pleased to present to our growing arts community.”
Phantom Angel
The museum is an experience all its own. First-time visitors often express surprise at the size and quality of the permanent collection and how much they enjoy the art they encounter. Patrons are in awe of the caliber of fine art on display, something many do not expect to see outside of a major city.
Burghart adds that “Those who have not yet visited will find it’s unlike any other. Skylands Museum of Art houses an enchanting, permanent collection of sculpture, paintings and illustrations from the 20th and 21st century. Leading artists include surrealists Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, Leonore Fini, Brian Froud, Michael Parkes, Anne Bachelier, Brian Branch and Ailene Fields. Much of the work is by women and much of the collection is sculpture.
“You won’t find a landscape or abstract in the collection, it’s all about characters and creatures, both real and imagined. Some pieces will remind you of childhood stories, some might inspire deep introspection and some offer an escape from the challenges of the day. Everyone leaves happy and refreshed.”
Anne Bachelier noted French artist exhibiting at the Skylands Museum of Art
The Phantom of the Opera exhibition runs Fridays and Saturday through May 3rd and will close with a special, not-to-be-missed, event. Anne Bachelier will be in attendance for an Artist’s Reception and Book Signing. Visitors are encouraged to wear costume masks, or even full costumes, for the Phantom-inspired event. Bachelier will be signing and inscribing her Phantom of the Opera, 13 Plus One by Edgar Allen Poe, biographical and other books. Phantom collector’s items will be available as fundraisers, generously donated by the artist in support of the Skylands Museum of Art (15 Route 15 in Lafayette, New Jersey).
