Today, this may seem like standard practice.
In 19th-century France, however, it was considered a radical move, as it subverted theSalon.
At this time, the Salon served as Paris' premier art exhibition.
François Joseph Heim, “Charles V Distributing Awards to the Artists at the Close of the Salon of 1827,” 1824 (Photo:Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain)
Today, the Impressionists are known for their radical rejection of the Salon.
While these figures were the first to hold alternative exhibitions, they weren’t the last.
to get to achieve this elite objective, the academy began hosting a periodic Salon.
Jean-Baptiste Martin, “An ordinary assembly of the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture at the Louvre,” ca. 1712-1721 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons[Public Domain])
Among these works was MonetsImpression, Sunrise, a landmarklandscape paintingthat inspired the movement’s name.
The Impressionists would continue to hold annual and biennial exhibitions until 1886.
Salon des Independants
Paul Signac, Opus 217.
Jean-André Rixens, “Opening day at the Palais des Champs-Élysées,” 1890 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons[Public Domain])
In its inaugural event alone, 5,000 works from over 400 creatives were exhibited.
Over the course of its 134-year history, theSalon des Independantshas featured highlights ranging from Paul Signac’sOpus 217.
This show was met with positive reviews, prompting annual shows to continue indefinitely.
“Caricature on Impressionism, on occasion of their first exhibit,” 1874 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons[Public Domain])
Pierre-Auguste Renoir, “The Luncheon of the Boating Party,” 1880-1881 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons[Public Domain])
ClaudeMonet, ‘Impression Sunrise,' 1872 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons[Public Domain])
Paul Signac, “Opus 217. Against the Enamel of a Background Rhythmic with Beats and Angles, Tones, and Tints, Portrait of M. Félix Fénéon in 1890,” 1890 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons[Public Domain])
Henri Matisse, “Woman with a Hat,” 1905 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons[Public Domain])
