How Did Salon De Paris Dominate Art During The 19th Century

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In the mid-1900s, Paris was restored by Emperor Napoleon III, bringing with him Académie des Beaux-Arts. This led to enforcement of traditional French styles and themes that would begin dominating art during the 19th century. This type of art was strict to historical and religious content, focusing more on portraits and less on nature or landscaping. Paintings were mean to look realistic, characterized by precise handwork, bold lines, and structure. Color was minimalized, sticking towards neutral tones that would not noticeably stand out. Salon de Paris was a popular annual art show held by The Académie each year. Juries would select artwork to display to the public for commission and exposure, but they served to be bias to their specific style …show more content…

This painting was created in 1872 on an oil canvas. Much like the title, this work of art captures the exact moment of a sunrise at the port of Le Havre. A bright, orange sun is depicted rising to the top center right of the painting, fulfilling the perfect Rule of Thirds and drawing the viewer’s direct attention. Two rowboats sail through the water, silhouettes of passengers and even a woman standing while paddling visible. The water and sky blend together with murky greys and blues of the early morning. Evident light begins illuminating the scene, remnants of yellow scattered about the water paired with the reflection of an orange hue from the sun. The sky begins fading into brighter, vibrant pinks, yellows, and oranges as the painting progresses upwards above the sun. At the horizon, there are darkened, misty depictions of steamships, cranes, and other various industrialized ships. They all blend together in the early morning fog that rests above the water, symbolizing the commercial and industrial presence taking over during that time period. The painting itself is said to have a various number of possible themes, ranging from peacefulness of the atmosphere to the empowerment of France. However, the most important factor of this painting is the style in which it was

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