Impress Yourself

■ In the late 19th century, discerning Chicagoans were among the first Americans to acquire (May 10 to September 10) celebrates this patronage, which was led by philanthropists like Bertha and Potter Palmer (of Palmer House fame). Nearly half the exhibition’s masterpieces, many of which are rarely on public display, come from local collections. Among them is (pictured), a curious 1888 portrait of Monet’s family in Giverny, where the impressionist painted his famous haystacks. “By that time, he was pretty much doing landscapes,” says curator Gloria Groom. “And it’s unusual that he paints figures this size. Usually, they are little and dissolve into the landscape.” Acquired by its current owner’s relatives in 1891 (after a brief stay with John Singer Sargent), the painting hasn’t been shown publicly since the Art Institute’s 1995 Monet retrospective. It promises to charm. “The whole thing is so atmospheric and personal,” Groom says. “It’s almost glowing.”