Unclassifiable painter of the late nineteenth century, Henri Fantin-Latour is a discreet artist who lived on the margins of the movements that animated this period. Today the Musée du Luxembourg dedicates an exceptional exhibition to him that allows us to learn more about this portraitist to whom we owe a beautiful testimony of this time.
Henri Fantin-Latour, at Fleur de peau
The exhibition reveals throughout the rooms a sensitive, intimate and discreet artist who, although contemporary with the Impressionists, never followed this movement. An admirer of Delacroix, Manet, Berlioz and Wagner, Fantin-Latour never ceased to draw inspiration from their art and to seek the truth in a realism borrowed from romantic melancholy.
The exhibition opens with his early works, a gallery of family portraits (including his sisters) and self-portraits. We are struck by the intimacy of the scenes represented, but also and above all by the distance that the painter adopts with his models. Regarding his self-portraits, they reflect the evolution of the painter's character in his beginnings: doubt, lack of confidence, sweetness and trouble. It is a touching testimony of the artist in the grip of creative fever who fears the lack of recognition. We are all the more moved when we know that his work was refused at the Salon several times and that he suffered from these failures.
Flowery still lifes
Another favorite subject of the painter, still life and more particularly floral painting. We discover a series of original compositions, striking realism and symbolism. Indeed, beyond the exceptional craftsmanship and the impressive work of color and textures, we can discern the artist's desire to talk about the passing of time, to use the symbolism of flowers to express something deeper. We dwell on the reflection of a vase, the softness of a petal, the choice of framing.
It is this painting that will long make the reputation of Fantin-Latour and that will bind him of a deep friendship with the Edwards. This English couple will serve as patrons in the young career of the painter. These paintings were very successful in England at the time and even today a large part of this collection comes from the London museum collections.
Group portraits
Today, Fantin-Latour is best known for his famous group portraits: tribute to Delacroix, visionary poets, contemporary musicians… Henri Fantin-Latour testifies to his time and takes pleasure in bringing together on canvas the figures of those who are close to his heart. Yet we learn that he remains a secret painter, intimate and reluctant to frequent the bubbling society of artists of this period in full effervescence. This will not prevent him, on the contrary, from innovating in his own way and from standing out as much by his technique as by the atmosphere of his paintings.
An original journey
The exhibition more or less follows the chronology of the painter, but agrees back and forth, in order to show the diversity of his concerns and subjects. We walk from room to room, moving from portraits to still lifes to finish on a beautiful meeting of paintings "of imagination" with musical references, literary or allegories. A lot of light, softness in these frames and a vaporous, almost evanescent side that makes the last room of the exhibition like a dream during REM sleep just before waking up.
Throughout this journey, we learn many anecdotes about his travels in England, his marriage to Victoria Dubourg, his faithful and devoted wife, his taste for music, but also his technique, his passion for photography or lithography that made him an original artist in the conception of his works.
If this exhibition remains short (count 1h30 maximum), it is no less immersive; The museography and lighting is very neat. It allows us to dive into the intimacy of this painter known for some of his works and yet so unknown at the same time.
To discover until February 12 at the Musée du Luxembourg.
https://youtu.be/TNtlMn-2_b4
