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LM: #330: Upside ostracized
In 1874, a group of painters known as the Batignolles group held an exhibition – in the Batignolles district of Paris.
People mostly went to mock them, howling with laughter, whispering and shouting insults, even spitting on the paintings. The critics printed stories calling their work, “nauseating and revolting,” “dangerous,” “offensive,” and “horrible.”
At their next auction, the hecklers loudly interrupted the bidding. Some paintings sold for hardly the cost of the frames. The painters’ portrait commissions dried up – nobody wanted to associate with them. They got by on dinner invitations from their few supporters.
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When the Batignolles group had put together their exhibition, they had made a pact: Either participate, or submit your work to the Salon – a government-sponsored who’s who of painting, juried by the establishment, who had routinely rejected their work. So, either take a stand and do the art you believe in, or once again try to fit in.
The Batignolles group became known by a name foisted on them as an insult: Impressionists.
The artists who participated in the debut exhibition included Cézanne, Degas, Monet, Morisot, Pissarro, and Renoir – names now synonymous with one of the most impactful artistic movements ever.
The artists who decided once again to seek validation from the status quo were Fantin, Gonzalés, Guillemet, Henner, Legros, and Tissot. The only name recognizable to anyone but the most ardent art-history buff would be Manet – though when you mention him many think you mean Monet.
Aphorism: “To escape criticism: Do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.” —Elbert Hubbard
Cool: TRE (Tension and Trauma Reduction Therapy) is simple, but powerful (use with caution!)
Best,
David
P.S. Thank you to Atul Raj for having me on The Genius Talks podcast.
