It was while Manet was painting _things_ as they are, and Monet was
painting _light_ as it is, that Whistler was painting both things and
light but with an entirely different object in view, namely, the
production of _color harmonies_ superior to either thing-effects or
light-effects.
To the following résumé it is obvious another paragraph must be added to
bring the record down to date.
* * * * *
Painting in France in the nineteenth century followed a course
parallel with that of the intellectual life of the country, it
adapted itself to the various changes in modes of thought, it took
upon itself a succession of forms corresponding to those which were
evolved in literature.
At the beginning of the century, under the Empire, painting was
classical. It was primarily engaged in rendering scenes borrowed
from the antique world of Greece and Rome, subjects derived from
fable and mythology. Historical painting formed the essence of high
art. It was based upon the nude, treated according to the classical
model. Two masters--David and Ingress--were its loftiest
expression. After them classical art was continued in an enfeebled
condition by painters of only secondary importance.
The new spirit of romanticism, however, which had arisen in
literature, also made its appearance in painting. Delacroix was the
master in whom it found its most complete expression. The tones of
classical art, sober, restrained, and often cold, gave place in his
work to warm and brilliant coloration. For the nicely balanced
scenes of classical antiquity, he substituted compositions
tumultuous with movement. Romanticism developed freedom of action
and expressiveness of pose to their utmost limits.
Painting was then conquered by realism, which had also invaded
literature. Courbet was its great initiator. He painted the life he
saw around him in a direct, robust manner. He also painted
landscape with a truthfulness that was informed by a powerful
emotion. At the same time, Rousseau and Corot had also brought
landscape painting into close touch with nature. They had
rediscovered its soul and its charm. Finally, crowning, as it were,
the work of their predecessors, came Manet and the
Impressionists.[4]
[Illustration: ROUSSEAU
Portrait of Self]
[Illustration: ROUSSEAU
Landscape]
Turner was the forerunner of Impressionism, the father of attempts to
paint brilliant _light_ effects, Whistler was the forerunner of
Post-Impressionism, the father of attempts to paint _line and color_
compositions.
Turner did not carry his theories to the scientific extremes of the
Impressionists and Neo-Impressionists; Whistler did not carry his
attempts to the abstract extremes of the Compositionalists and the
Cubists; but in their work are found the seeds of all there is in
Impressionism and Post-Impressionism.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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