7 French Paintings you must see in Paris
TRAVEL, France — When you visit France, there are some paintings you must see to complete your Parisian cultural visit and understand France, and the modern world.
As Ruskin said:
“Great nations write their autobiographies in three manuscripts, the book of their deeds, the book of their words and the book of their art.
“Not one of these books can be understood unless we read the two others, but of the three the only trustworthy one is the last.”
For me that sums up art and history. And more than a little, human nature.
These paintings, and a proper commentary, will help you understand modern France and attributes of the French character.
Whilst at the the Musée du Louvre:
The Oath of the Horattii
Jacques-Louis David shows the Horatii men as strong Roman gladiators swearing to defeat their enemies or die for their country.
A political painting of 1784, in the tempest before the revolution of 1789, and part of the birth of the neo-classical style. Defend the Republic, the State. Also notable for the French ideas of the strong masculine and weak feminine.
Napoleon Bonaparte Visiting the Plague-Stricken in Jaffa
Antoine-Jean Gros.
The first masterpiece of Napoleonic painting, painted in 1804. General Bonaparte visiting and seemingly healing plague-stricken French troops in a Jaffa mosque in use as a military hospital. Bonaparte risks catching the plague to heal victims.
Bonaparte is hinted as having almost divine powers, as well as his bravery.
This painting shows the French need for strong leaders such as kings, Napoleon (later Emperor) and the modern President.
This previews the different version of democracy as seen by the French, when compared with the US model.
The Raft of the Medusa
Théodore Géricault.
Intensely political, based on passengers lost at sea from a large ship. Amidst rumours of cannibalism, and other sensational allegations, they were ultimately rescued.
Painted in 1819 of an incident in 1816. This period was recently post-Napoleon. An incompetent captain was to blame, it was seen by some a symbol of a failing system and preceded the July revolution of 1830.
It was also one of the first direct paintings of modern history, not ancient metaphors.
Liberty Leading the People.
Eugene Delacroix.
Another classical 3 + 1 layout, symbolically significant. All classes of French citizens charge the barricades in the July Revolution of 1830 removing restored Bourbon king, Charles X.
Significant as France was becoming less a series of regions, than a nation whose power was centralized in Paris. Also a significant reminder that in France, a protest can overthrow an unpopular government, despite a seemingly less democratic model.
A symbol of a unified France behind the female mythical symbol of liberty, and the infamous tricolore.
Paintings at the Musée d’Orsay:
Even more recent artworks here, pre-dating modernism.
The Artist’s Studio (L‘Atelier du Peintre)
Subtitled; A Real Allegory of a Seven Year Phase in my Artistic and Moral Life
Gustave Courbet. 1855. This painting predated ideas leading to photography, and the death of traditional mythical and allegorical painting (until recently, in my view).
The painting contains people from all walks of all life, equal on the flat surface composition. Note the artist is of equal interest to the model.
Gustave Courbet’s L’Origine du monde is also worth a look. It’s small, obviously confronting, and always seems to have a crowd around. Personally I find it comforting!
Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe
Édouard Manet predated modern relationships in the 60s, the 1860s that is. A modern non-metaphorical nude, shows a naked woman relaxing in the company of men.
In addition, one woman is bathing, which could be inferred to mean after sex.
This paintings previews male and female relationships of the twentieth century, and the casualisation of nudity and sex. It hints at some French attitudes, although Napoleon III (nephew of the original) refused to show it in the official salon of 1863.
Instead shown in the Salon des Refusés along with many paintings previewing modernist thinking. Manet’s controversial Olimpia is also worth a look.
Painting at the Musée de l’Armée:
Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, 1806.
Although this one is an earlier painting, being from the coronation of late 1804.
The French love of the grand gesture has not changed.
This one is often overlooked as it is in the army museum. But really worth the visit.
Getting to the 3 museums in Paris
Allow at least 2 days to see all museums. The Louvre could be a 5 day exploration in itself. however, 1 day allows you to see major works.
Depending on your interests, the Orsay and Army museums could be viewed in a single compressed day.
These works are all very large format, so best enjoyed in the real size. Many are life size. Reproductions do not do them justice.
All museums are in reasonable walking or close subway distance. Just cross from the right-bank Louvre, to the left-bank Orsay & Army museums.
Personally, I prefer to eat lunch on the Left Bank.
Enjoy!
Christopher
Speaker. Author. Editor-In-Chief. Executive Director of Innovation, 2thinknow.
3 Responses to “7 French Paintings you must see in Paris”
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I don’t think I’ll ever make it to Paris. Thanks for putting some of the most beautiful painting on your blog!!!
These are truly beautiful paintings. I am looking for the art work and the complete name of a French Female Artist. I heard of her some 18 years ago but have forgotten her last name. Her fist name is Marie-Lise and 18 years ago she was painting religious paintings using some interesting techniqes. If you know this name or where I might discover this artists work I would most appreciate it.
Hi Barbara
Thanks for your comment on the art blog. The only similar named 19th century French artist I recall off the top of my head was Marie Louise Elisabeth Vigee-Lebrue.
http://www.allposters.com/-st/Marie-Louise-Elisabeth-Vigee-Lebrun-Posters_c31970_.htm
Christopher