April/May Artist Clue #3 - Ahhh Paris!

         1866 brought forth new vigor and hope for this artist who left for Paris in the company of her mother as a chaperone. A plan to continue her art education was her focus. She was not allowed to attend the art school there because she was a woman. Here we go again... Harrumph I say!! To some, well, this might've been too big of a stumbling block - But No - not to this determined young lady. She just found a way to circumvent it. Let's find another door -- and that's exactly what she did. She applied for private lessons with the school masters. Some of her teachers included Jean-Leon Gerome, Charles Chaplin (not the funny Charlie Chaplin we all know - that's an era in the future), and Thomas Couture.

          Another way she pursued more instruction was to visit the Louvre on a daily basis and paint from the wonderful paintings there. She wasn't the only one who set up her painting materials at the Louvre. Many artists congregated in that place for painting and socializing. Do you know the name William Bouguereau? Wow, he's one of my favorites, his paintings are a-m-a-z-i-n-g! Anyway, he also roamed the halls of the Louvre in that same time frame, admiring the art and finding inspiration in the works of the past.

          In Paris there was a Salon (not like a hair salon like you and I might think, but an Art Exhibition Salon) Don't think hairbraiding or updos, think of a somewhat snobby juried art show where artwork is displayed from the floor to ceiling. Organized by the Société des Artistes Français, the Salon was held annually and later biannually, between the years 1748–1890. Our little artist submitted paintings over a ten year period to the Salon only to be frustrated with many rejections. I just have to shake my head because I'm not sure what they were thinking...  You see her artwork - what is up with that!? An uproar eventually resulted from other frustrated regular exhibitors who were also finding increasing rejection of their works.

          The art scene was changing in France. As you know, artists don't like being put in a box and told what to do, freedom is a prerequisite of art. Without that freedom, or silly expectations and traditions put on artwork, the results would inevitablly bring on some sort of artistic mutiny. Some broke away and one particular group formed their own independent exhibiton with a whole new way of painting and seeing the world. Does the word Impressionist effect your visual senses? Our artist, found friendship there.... but that is for another post. Stay tuned...