Therere countless artists from across the globe who have shaped the art world as we know it today.
However, France has been home to many of the most famous and influential painters in Western history.
Art wasand still isan essential part of French culture, and was nurtured even from its ancient beginnings.
During the French Revolution, he affiliated himself with Maximilien Robespierre and created art that supported his side.
His art had a far-reaching impact on Neoclassical artists across Europe.
His skills asone of the best draftsmenhelped him create compelling portraiture, most of which are his best-known works.
Jacques-Louis David, “Self-Portrait,” 1794 (Photo:LouvreviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Delacroix’s oeuvre spanned contemporary events, mythological scenes, Orientalism, and portraiture.
He was often cited as a great source of inspiration for Dutch Post-ImpressionistVincent van Gogh.
It is society at its best, its worst, its average, he said of his practice.
Ingres, “Self-Portrait at 78,” 1858 (Photo:The UffiziviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
In short, it’s my way of seeing society with all its interests and passions.
It’s the whole world coming to me to be painted.
Living in a French country chateau she purchased, Bonheur never married.
Horace Vernet, “Portrait of Jean-Louis-André-Théodore Gericault,” 1822–1823(Photo:The MetviaWikimedia Commons,CC0 1.0)
She was the first female artist awarded theLegion dHonneurafter Empress Eugenie visited her studio.
The empress famously declared that Genius has no sex after viewing Bonheur’s paintings.
Much like other artists of the time, Pissarros work was mocked and rejected by critics.
Eugène Delacroix, “Self-Portrait,” 1837 (Photo:Louvre MuseumviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Not to mention the name Olympia was associated with prostitutes in 1860s Paris.
Hispaintings of ballerinasin motion express his momentary observations and visual experiences during dance classes and rehearsals.
Monet is famous for capturing the French countryside, especially water lily ponds.
Photograph of Jean-François Millet by Nadar, 1856–1858 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
19-century, working-class Parisians are pictured dancing, drinking, and eating French galettes (savory crepes).
The work of these artists later led toCubismandAbstract Expressionism.
Like most artists of the time, his work was ridiculed by critics and rejected by galleries.
Gustave Courbet, “Self-Portrait as the Desperate Man,” 1845 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
He was inspired by illustrations in children’s books and the botanical gardens of Paris.
Today, his work is highly celebrated and has influenced many modern artists.
This style was strongly influenced by the so-called primitive arts of Africa, Asia, and French Polynesia.
Edouard Louis Dubufe, “Rosa Bonheur with Bull,” 1857 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Famous works of art:The Yellow Christ(1889),Where Do We Come From?
Where Are We Going?
Seurat’s large-scale masterpieceA Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatteremains a leading example of this style.
Camille Pissarro, “Self-Portrait,” 1903 (Photo:Tate,CC-BY-NC-ND 3.0, Unported)
In the background, on the right, you could see Toulouse-Lautrec himself.
Close-up photograph of artist Édouard Manet, enlargement by Paul Nadar of his father’s original, before 1870 (Photo viaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Edgar Degas, “Self-Portrait,” 1854–1855 (Photo:Musée d’OrsayviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Portrait of Claude Monet by Nadar, 1899 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Pierre-Auguste Renoir, “Self-Portrait,” 1876 (Photo:Fogg Art MuseumviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Berthe Morisot, “Self-Portrait,” 1885 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
“Self-Portrait with Palette,” c. 1890 (Photo: The Yorck Project viaWikimedia CommonsPublic Domain)
Henri Rousseau, “Myself,” 1890 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons,CC BY-SA 4.0)
Paul Gauguin, “Self-Portrait with the Yellow Christ,” 1891 (Photo:Musée d’OrsayviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Portrait photograph of Georges Seurat, 1888 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Gelatin silver print by Maurice Guibert of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec as both artist and model (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
