Impressionist painting: its genesis and developmentDewhurst, Wynford
History
Impressionist painting: its genesis and development
Dewhurst, Wynford
Artists -- Portraits; Impressionism (Art)
Much has been written concerning the exhibited works of this artist, and
a bibliography would contain the names of the most celebrated art
critics in Paris. The universal opinion is that in Carrière France
possesses an artist of exceptional endowments. His gift is a peculiar
one, which has not appeared before in exactly the same manner, and,
within his own limitations, the painter’s equal will probably never be
seen again. A well-known writer upon art subjects has penned an
appreciation which conveys a clear insight into the methods of the
master. Carrière, he says, is not an inductive painter, he does not
construct his whole from parts. He does not work on, wisely, cautiously,
from the forehead to the eyes, continuing by way of the cheekbones. In
the manner of a sculptor, he builds up his picture as a complete whole,
he balances his masses, he constructs. Insensibly the face lights up on
the background, the successive veils which enveloped it are torn away
and hide his thoughts no longer. This simultaneous process never leaves
him quite satisfied, and he constantly reviews his original plans. He
lives for the creation to which he gives life. His work is an effort, an
attempt, the result of a mysterious genius whose secret is never all
told. What he knows before is the impression he expects to obtain, what
it will tell, what it will reveal of the character and will express of
the invisible reality. And it is thus he approaches those faces which
speak to us of an intense inner life. His plans settled, he paints
astonishing faces, mobile and quivering as they smile and speak.
A few personal particulars may be added. Eugène Carrière passed his life
up to the age of eighteen in Strasbourg, and displayed no special
inclination toward the artistic career. But a visit to some galleries
awoke the latent fire, and his ambitions were roused. He then entered
the atelier of Cabanel. During the war he was captured by the Germans,
and sent as prisoner to Dresden, where he studied with diligence in the
museums. Upon his return to France in 1872 he worked for five years at
the École des Beaux-Arts (he had been there for a short time before the
war) and then, none too well equipped for the battle, set up in his own
studio. He attempted to gain the Prix de Rome, but failed. Shortly after
followed his marriage, together with a semi-retreat to the Vaugirard,
where he toiled for five years, turning his family to artistic account
as models. These days of unremitting labour proved to be the foundations
of his fame, for, when he returned to Paris, he reaped almost
immediately the fruits of success and appreciation. As we write, the
news comes that the authorities of the Luxembourg have purchased
Carrière’s _Dead Christ_ for £1000.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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