The Museum of Modern Art is presenting “Pioneering Modern Painting: Cézanne and Pissarro 1865-1885” through September 12.

Organized by Joachim Pissarro, curator, department of painting and sculpture, and the artist’s great-grandson, the exhibit presents for the first time the work of Paul Cézanne (French, 1839-1906) and Camille Pissarro (French, 1830-1903) in the context of their 20-year artistic relationship.

Featured are some 85 paintings and eight drawings from public and private collections from around the world covering the period when the two artists worked side-by-side in the regions of Pontoise and Auvers in the Oise river valley of France.

Camille Pissarro, “L’Hermitage, Pontoise, Winter (L’Hermitage, Pontoise, en hiver),” circa 1874. Oil on canvas. Private collection, Cambridge, Mass.

The exhibition comprises portraits, self-portraits, stilllifes and landscapes – several of which present the same motifspainted by each artist, and which are reunited for the first timesince they were created. In addition to documenting an importantlink in the development of modern art, the exhibition addresses aparadox between originality and collaboration, suggesting thatartistic originality can be inspired and enhanced through sharingand communication. It is on view in The Joan and Preston TischGallery on the sixth floor of the museum.

Several programs include a lecture series featuring experts in the fields of art history and conservation; a seminar led by Joachim Pissarro on key topics related to the works of and relation-ship between the artists; and a symposium featuring scholars addressing historical, technical, philosophical and contemporary issues related to the exhibition through individual presentations, concluding with a roundtable discussion.

The exhibition will travel to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Musee d’Orsay, Paris.

For information, 212-708-9400 or www.moca.org.