Rose Sketch from my flower book
This post is about my thoughts on the book by Ross King, The Judgment of Paris: The Revolutionary Decade That Gave the World Impressionism.
I picked this book up at the library – I’m still waiting for the rest of Fort Worth to read The Forger’s Spell – then it will be my turn. King has written a few NYT bestsellers: Brunelleschi’s Dome and Michelangelo & the Pope’s Ceiling.
This is a fascinating book. It is well-written and engaging. If you are at all interested in what sort of world the Impressionists came from this book is an easy introduction. It centers around Ernest Meissonier and Edouard Manet. Meissonier was the most famous painter of the day – his work was popular and commanded high prices. He was the one that everyone said the world would remember. Manet was the one everyone spurned. The book is full of ironic quotes and interesting perspectives.
It is very encouraging to read about all of the struggles that Manet faced. It’s nice to know that struggle and disappointment are all a part of the artist’s life. Reading about Meissonier was also a good reminder – he desperately wanted fame and power. He had great success but did not enjoy it, because he sensed that he would not be remembered. That is a good reminder – it is important to just enjoy what you do – success and fame are very fickle and fleeting things. Don’t paint to be famous, much better to paint and just enjoy it - fame would only be the icing on the cake.
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