Art Appreciation – July/August 2024

After having to postpone last month’s meeting because so many members were not able to attend, it was good to have a nearly full group to hear David’s presentation on Jules Bastien-Lepage and his followers.

David introduced his presentation by saying that he came across a number of major artists saying how much they had been influenced by Jules Bastien-Lepage, yet he had never heard of him.  This prompted him to find out more.

Bastien-Lepage (1848-84) came from a relatively humble background and lived most of his life in NE France.  His work is usually characterised as being part of the ‘Realist’ movement, focussing on depictions of peasant life in the countryside.  His work can be compared with other artists of the period such as Millet and members of the Barbizon School.  He quickly established a national reputation for his work and had a successful career.  Alongside his scenes of the hard lives of those working on the land, he was also given commissions for portraits of famous figures such as Sarah Bernhart, or history paintings such as his painting of Joan of Arc.

It is interesting to see that today his paintings are included in collections all over the world, indicating how far his reputation and influence have spread.  He achieved recognition from the French government with the award of the cross of the Legion of Honour.

Contemporary artists who have paid tribute to Bastien-Lepage include Rodin, who produced a sculpture of him, Vincent Van Gogh and George Clausen.  The novelist Emile Zola also admired him.  He influenced members of The Glasgow Boys such as James Guthrie, who painted subjects related to rural life in Scotland.  A group of Australian impressionist artists, including Charles Conder, Tom Roberts and others, captured the beautiful scenery of their country and were directly influenced by Bastien-Lepage.

He is clearly an artist who members will now recognise and search for in galleries in the future.

Our next meeting on Tuesday 13th August will be on the theme of ‘Dreams’ or ‘Fantasy’.  Members are invited to choose a work of art on these themes and talk for a few minutes about their choice.

Lynne Vick, Convenor