Bazille, Frédéric (1841-1870)
L’Atelier de la rue Visconti (Bazille’s Studio of The Rue Visconti)
1867
Oil on canvas, 64.77 × 48.26 cm
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond
In 1862, Bazille moved from Montpellier to Paris. There, he befriended Monet, Renoir, and Sisley and began taking classes in Charles Gleyre’s studio. As early as 1867, the painter envisioned organizing an exhibition for the artists from the school of “New Painting” that would bypass the jurisdiction of the Salon system. Tragically, Bazille never saw this dream realized; he was killed in combat on November 28, 1870, during the Franco-Prussian War.
Bazille was born into a wealthy family, and he often shared his studio space and supplies with less fortunate artist friends. The rue Visconti studio in Paris was the artist’s fourth studio, which he occupied from July 1866 until December 1867. Monet and Renoir both joined him there in March 1867. This scene includes three of Bazille’s paintings reproduced in miniature. Monet‘s Rue de la Bavole, Honfleur (ca. 1864) is the only framed painting among those hanging on the wall. The large, framed painting on the easel—angled away from the viewer— appears to dialogue with Monet‘s work, recalling the reciprocal admiration and respectful emulation that characterized these young artists’ working relationships. (VMFA)
See also:
Monet, Claude (1840-1926)
Rue de la Bavole, Honfleur
c.1864
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston