This week I went to a very interesting lecture given by Francoise Heilbrun, Senior Curator for photography at the Musee d'Orsay. During the last few decades she has been responsible for putting together a collection of about 50,000 photographic prints and negatives from the beginning of photography to 1914. Her new book is called 'La photographie au Musee d'Orsay'. She talked about the importance and impact of photography on the late 19th century impressionist artists.
Giverny - Just an old wall.
With the Paris Universal Exposition of 1889, one can understand the exuberance that people of the time felt and how it translated into the vibrant palette of the impressionistic movement as well as, theater and costumes like those of the Ballet Russe. Photography studios had already been set up in Paris since the early 1850s most notably that of Felix Nadar. But as can be expected, artists started to experiment with the medium of photography rather than just using it to replace live models. Some were scared of it, some were inspired by it and some through it was not worth the time as it was not real "art".
Eiffel Tower on Bastille Day from my apartment window.
One can really get a feel for this period if you visit Giverny, Rouen, Deauville, Honfleur, or Etretat. Normandy attracted the artists of the day. The American Museum of Art in Giverny, has become the Museum of Impressionism and is now partnered with the Musee d'Orsay. An interesting change that now has the possibility to illustrate the larger concept behind impressionism in multiple fields and mediums.
Museum of Impressionism in Giverny
But interestingly it was not just the beauty of the region but the development of technology like the railway for example, which allowed the 19th century Bourgeoisie to go "en masse" to the coast, build houses and hire artists to make portraits of them. In those days art was a very practical matter of going where the money was. And the artist went.
Japanese Bridge in Monet's Garden
But of course how could the art of the impressionist not influence photographers like Steichen.
Monet's painting of the Cathedral in Rouen in the Musee des Beaux Arts
Well if not Alfred then certainly me!
Inside the Cathedral in Rouen
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