French art is an expansive, diverse, and influential tradition spanning from Impressionist landscapes to the daring works of 20th-century artists living la vie boheme.
Following the excesses of Rococo, Neoclassicism emerged. Proponents included Jacques-Louis David and Nicolas Poussin who later inspired Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres with their Neoclassicism works.
Romanesque
Romanesque art and architecture was developed in Europe from the 10th to 12th centuries as Europe underwent political stability, reflecting aspirationsal views for a new age. Monasticism flourished across Europe at this time with large orders like Cistercian and Cluniac monastic orders creating churches all across Europe.
Church of Saint-Savin in Paris stands as an outstanding example of this school of painting, where multiple painters contributed, but its overall effect can only be described as that of a collaborative effort featuring shared aesthetics for plastic form and an emphasis on caricature.
Decoration of the Tympanum depicting Christ teaching from within an apse and sending his Holy Spirit out through another, with both Carolingian and Teutonic influences visible.
Gothic
Gothic art first emerged in the early 12th century with its revolutionary vaults and lavish stained glass windows, quickly expanding beyond architecture into monumental and personal sculpture, textile art, painting, textile design and painting.
By the late 12th and early 13th centuries, sculpture had evolved from being stiff and elongated into something with more space and naturalistic qualities, drawing influence from ancient Greek and Roman sculpture.
Gothicism has long been associated with negative stereotypes, particularly since Florentine Renaissance historian Giorgio Vasari described it as “monstrous barbarism.” Yet despite these unfavorable connotations, Gothic architecture continued to inspire new churches, city buildings, and university architecture well into the 19th century.
Renaissance
Renaissance (1400-1600) art introduced realism and novel techniques into French culture, depicting natural poses with realistic expression and movement captured through paintings. Artists utilized perspective techniques to bring images to life and add drama and drama was established through paintings.
King Francois I, reigning from 1515-1547, greatly supported Renaissance art in France. He invited Leonardo da Vinci to work freely there while commissioning Renaissance architects to design his new chateau at Chambord.
Renaissance literature and thought were also highly influential on French culture of this era, as Kenny (2008) provides a thorough introduction.
Baroque
The Baroque period in art was an age of drama and emotional instability. Emerging after Reformation in Europe, European monarchies encouraged its development as a means to glorify divine greatness while showing their wealth and power.
The Art Nouveau movement had an enormous influence on multiple artistic disciplines, including painting, sculpture, music, and architecture. It emphasized motion, clear details, and exuberant fancifulness.
Caravaggio depicted religious subjects with drama and intensity that gripped audiences, while Poussin contributed more subdued classicism focused on details and nature that furthered this movement. Baroque eventually gave way to Rococo in the 18th century.
Rococo
Rococo is an 18th century decorative art style which originated in Paris. Characterized by soft colors and curves, its style highlights nature themes such as nature walks and light entertainment; themes of romance; amorous encounters and youth; often compared with Baroque but distinguished by its frivolity and elegance.
Francois Boucher, Jean-Honore Fragonard and Antoine Watteau were the leading painters of their era, depicting aristocrats, social celebrities and past times through playful, theatrical and frivolous depictions without any overarching narrative or moral message.
Periods during which Neoclassicism gained favor included: Voltaire and Diderot critiqued its triviality while Neoclassicism gained momentum as an alternative style of architecture.
Impressionism
Impressionist art made its first debut at an independent exhibition held outside the official Paris Salon, or Salon des Independants, in 1874. Artists comprising this group included Monet and Renoir’s friends Claude Degas and Alfred Sisley as mentors, Mary Cassatt who depicted women within domestic settings such as homes and Berthe Morisot who captured modern urban life – just to name a few!
Gustave Caillebotte’s Paris Street, Rainy Day captures the sense of middle-class urban ennui typical of many Impressionist works. Caillebotte pioneered many Impressionist innovations using short brushstrokes and fragmented colors to render natural impressions – an invaluable contribution.