The Byrne Gallery in Middleburg, Virginia, is proud to present “Shades of Autumn”, the latest

series of plein air landscape and garden oil paintings by noted Virginia painter, Robert Thoren.

This new exhibition for the month of October features impressionistic views that showcase the

beauty of the Virginia countryside as well as scenes from Italy and France. Goose Creek and the

foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains are both represented in the splendor of the autumn season

with color and majesty. The exhibition will be on display from October 5th - 30th , 2022.

There will be a reception for the artist on Saturday, October 8th from 4:00 - 7:00, and a gallery

talk on Saturday, October 15th , from 2:00-4:00. Drinks and refreshments will be provided. Both

events and the exhibition are open to the public and all are invited to attend.

Robert Thoren is an avid proponent and practitioner of plein air painting. He has relished the

opportunity to paint the Northern Virginia landscape, particularly the lush terrain of the

Shenandoah Valley. Before moving to Virginia in 1993, Robert studied with teachers closely

associated with the late Russian emigre impressionist Sergei Bongart. Mr. Bongart’s work was

often featured in exhibitions at the Frye Gallery in Seattle along with other noted artists and

fellow emigres Nicolai Fechin and Leon Gaspard.

Like Sergei Bongart, Robert Thoren paints in a sensual, impressionistic style emphasizing vivid

color and employ fresh dramatic brushstrokes. His artistic goal is to suggest spontaneity while

maintaining a firm mastery of drawing and painting techniques. In his many still lifes, Robert

celebrates the Bongart school's focus upon color and its ability to transform everyday objects

into scenes of powerful emotion.

Robert teaches both oil and acrylic landscape and still life painting through the Fairfax County

Parks Authority. He is an active member of the Washington Society of Landscape Painters.