#the impressionists

OTD in 2006, 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀, a three-part BBC miniseries about a movement that shook the foundation of the art world, aired for the first time. Since today is also 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, here's Richard as a young (and a bit tipsy?!) Claude Monet. 🥂🍾🍷

Today is 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘄𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗩𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹, conceived in 2007 and celebrated the second Friday after Thanksgiving to honor the humble sweater vest. Although Richard doesn't make a habit of wearing jumpers without sleeves, I found a few outfits that fit the category: (1) an early 1990s appearance in the musical 42nd Street; (2) his portrayal of young Claude Monet in The Impressionists (2006); press events for The Hobbit, including (3) The Marilyn Denis Show, Dec 3, 2012, and (4) Today interview, Dec 5, 2013; and finally (5) the Leslie Hassler NYC photoshoot, Oct 4, 2013.

On this 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘆 the focus is on the versatile beret, worn by Richard in (clockwise from top left) The Impressionists (2006) as a young Claude Monet; Ultimate Force (2003) as Capt. Ian Macalwain, sporting the beret of the elite British Army unit Red Troop; RSC's production of Macbeth (1999) as Angus, the beret-wearing warrior and loyal follower of Duncan; Strike Back (2010) as John Porter in his SAS dress uniform, standing at attention before a monument to fallen soldiers.

The Impressionists aired for the first time OTD in 2006. Beautifully filmed and orchestrated, this BBC factual drama focuses on the lives of six of the most well-known male artists of the Impressionist movement and features Richard as a young Claude Monet. The 3-hour miniseries covers the years 1862, when he attended art school in Paris, to 1920 when the elder Monet (played by Julian Glover, who narrates the story) resided in Giverny. Available to stream on YouTube and on dvd with bonus content.