Exhibit’s works show pre-Impressionist style

PARIS » Years before Impressionism — the influential Paris-based art movement — began, a similar style of painting capturing colorful impressions of light may have existed in Italy, according to a new exhibit.

The show at Paris’ Orangery museum displays works from 1860s Flor­ence with vivid, dappled light — in a strikingly similar way to famed painters like Claude Monet from the 1870s.

The movement was called "Mac­chi­ai­oli," after the Italian word for "stain," to evoke splashes of light in the painting.

"It’s practically unknown around the world, but like the Impressionists they used the bright light of open air, contrasting shadows, and they wished to rebel against academic painting by going out and in the open air," said curator Bea­trice Avanzi.

"The Macchiaioli: The Italian Impressionists?" show runs through July 22.

Southwestern city tops for travelers with pets

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. » Albuquerque has been named America’s best city for four-legged travelers.

The travel booking site Priceline.com compiled the top-10 list of the cities most friendly for travelers with pets based on the number of pet-friendly hotels, the number of off-leash dog parks per 100,000 residents, and the city’s walkability.

Most of the cities are in the West. Portland, Ore., ranked No. 2, followed by Tucson, Ariz.; Tampa, Fla.; Indianapolis; Salt Lake City; Austin, Texas; Tulsa, Okla.; Louisville, Ky.; and San Francisco.