“I paint from remembered landscapes that I carry with me—and remembered feelings of them ...” —Joan Mitchell

A vital member of the painterly vanguard that dominated New York in the 1950s, Joan Mitchell (1925–1992) struck an independent path, settling permanently in France in 1959. In 1968, she moved to Vétheuil, a small village northwest of Paris, which had also been Claude Monet’s home from 1878 to 1881. Inspired by her garden and the surrounding landscape, Mitchell increasingly grounded her work in nature, while exploring the basic principles of color and composition with an ever-increasing lyricism.

In honor of the centennial of Mitchell’s birth, the MFAH showcases four paintings from 1976 to 1985, when the artist was at the height of her mature achievements, expanding her vocabulary of expressive brushwork and use of radiant color. This special installation also highlights new research supported by the Joan Mitchell Foundation, providing a glimpse into the artist’s studio and the conservation efforts undertaken by the MFAH to uphold Mitchell’s lasting legacy.

Plan Your Visit

• This installation is located on Level 1 of the Law Building.
• Parking Information | Museum Hours | MFAH Campus Map

Celebrating Joan Mitchell / October 22, 2025–January 19, 2026