The Belle Èpoque was a period of great social and cultural change for late 19th century Paris, and one of newfound experimentation and innovation for the arts. It is the era of focus for the Musée Carnavalet, Paris’s oldest municipal museum. For the first time, they have developed an exhibition with an international venue that draws entirely from their collection. The show is Paris: Impressions of Life 1880-1925, and it is now showing at Bendigo Art Gallery.
From impressionist painters Ludovic Vallée and Albert Marquet to the pointillism of Paul Signac and the iconic theatre posters of Henri de Toulouse Lautrec, Paris: Impressions of Life 1880-1925 brings the historic streets of the city to life. The show features over 90 paintings, alongside antique ephemera—shop signs, original menus, jewellery boxes and silk scarves.
“Paris is without doubt one of the world’s most picturesque and captivating cities,” says Bendigo Art Gallery director Jessica Bridgfoot. “The exhibition distils its beauty and energy, from the busy banks of the Seine, bustling marketplaces, grand boulevards, idyllic public gardens and the bohemian Montmartre area, as it was portrayed by some of the most influential artists and artisans of the period. This is a rare opportunity for audiences to take a promenade through turn-of-the-century Paris, a dynamic time when the city courted the attention of the world.”
View, in pictures, a slice of Parisian history.
Ludovic Vallée, The garden of the Bal Bullier by night (Le jardin du bal Bullier, la nuit)1902, oil on canvas. Musée Carnavalet.CC0Paris Musées / Musée Carnavalet–Histoire de Paris.
Ludovic Valleé, Afternoon at Parc Montsouris (L’Après-midi au parc Montsouris) c.1919, oil on cardboard on wood. Musée Carnavalet. CC0 Paris Musées / Musée Carnavalet–Histoire de Paris.
René Péan, Advertising poster for the department store Aux Trois Quartiers on Boulevard de la Madeleine (Affiche publicitaire pour le grand magasin Aux Trois Quartiers du boulevard de la Madeleine)1900, lithograph. Musée Carnavalet.CC0Paris Musées / Musée Carnavalet–Histoire de Paris.
Jean Béraud, Boulevard Poissonnière in the rain (Le boulevard Poissonière sous la pluie) c.1880, oil on canvas. Musée Carnavalet. CC0 Paris Musées / Musée Carnavalet-Histoire de Paris.
Henry Thiriet, Advertising poster for the department store Àla Place de Clichy (Affiche publicitaire pour le grand magasin A la place de Clichy)1898, lithograph. Musée Carnavalet CC0 Paris Musées /Musée Carnavalet-Histoire de Paris.
Jean Beraud, Dinner at the Ambassadeurs (dîner aux Ambassadeurs) c.1880, oil on wood. Musée Carnavalet. Paris Musées / Musée Carnavalet – Histoire de Paris.
Souvenir fan with a panorama of the Universal Exhibition (Éventail souvenir avec panorama de l’Exposition universelle) 1889, print on polished cotton; wood, metal. Musée Carnavalet. Paris Musées / Musée Carnavalet – Histoire de Paris.
Pair of signs from the snail merchant Lazare Successeurs at 13 rue de la Cossonnerie (Paire d’enseignes du marchand d’escargots “Lazare Successeurs” au 13 rue de la Cossonnerie)1852-1870, gilded metal. Musée Carnavalet.CC0Paris Musées / Musée Carnavalet–Histoire de Paris.
Paris: Impressions of Life 1880-1925
Bendigo Art Gallery
On now—14 July
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