Book Report: The Judgement of Paris

Book Report: The Judgement of Paris

The Judgement of Paris: Manet, Meissonier, and an Artistic Revolution contrasts the lives and artistic struggles of two painters against the backdrop of life in Paris. In the 1860s Ernest Meissonier was one of the most famous artists in Europe. His fame was built on his thoroughly detailed, realistic depiction of historical subjects. Meissonier sold his works for record prices and could afford to spend years working on them (he took 13 years to paint Napoleon's victory at Friedland). Today his name commonly receives the response "Who?".

At the same time Eduoard Manet, who now features in many Art History courses, was ridiculed by the establishment for his paintings, rejected time and again by the Salon. His determination to pursue his vision, which would be instrumental in changing the way artists painted and the development of Impressionism, is inspirational.

It's a book that's riveting for the overall story of the two artists and the art world at that time, for the insight into the inner workings of the influential Salon which could make or destroy a painter's reputation, and for the info on the methods and approaches