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Lecture

Patrick Bade
Painting at the Paris Salon

Sunday 25.07.2021

Summary

In this lecture, the focus is on Paris Salon paintings and what these 19th-century paintings reveal about the attitudes and life of that era. Two prominent artists, William Bouguereau and Henri Gervex, are discussed, highlighting their superstardom and immense wealth, surpassing even more recognized figures like Manet and Monet. Once acclaimed and purchased by the French state, these paintings faced a decline with the rise of modernism, only to be rediscovered in the late 1960s and 70s. Several examples of storytelling prowess and intrigue as well as sensuality in the portrayal are shown.

Patrick Bade

An image of Patrick Bade.

Patrick Bade is a historian, writer, and broadcaster. He studied at UCL and the Courtauld Institute of Art. He was a senior lecturer at Christie’s Education for many years and has worked for the Art Fund, Royal Opera House, National Gallery, and V&A. He has published on 19th- and early 20th-century paintings and historical vocal recordings. His latest book is Music Wars: 1937–1945.

Through much the 19th century women were not allowed to learn to draw from the nude model. It was only in the later years of the century and under extreme restrictions. There was a teacher at the academy in Philadelphia who was fired because he allowed his female students to see a nude male corpse.

Hundreds.

The Salon went through a number of different reforms, but immediately after the revolution it was Jacques-Louis David who decided on the regulations.

Yes, she is. The day that Charlotte Corday murdered Marat, she knew she was going to go into history but she didn’t want to go into history on a bad hair day. So she called in a hairdresser to make her hair look nice before stabbing Marat.