DOI Heft:
No. 172 (July, 1907)
DOI Artikel:The salon of the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20775#0157
The Socidtd Nationale des Beaux-Arts
a little display of highest import and of profound
instructiveness.
Decorative painting was represented this year by
sundry morceaux of much interest. One's atten-
tion was attracted straightaway— and it was right that
it should be so—to the two great ceilings by
Besnard, intended for the cupola of the Petit-
Palais. It was somewhat difficult to estimate the
value of these two works, which, as seen here, were
neither in the place nor in the light in which they
will be viewed eventually. Without taking these
truths into consideration, one might perhaps be
inclined to express less admiration for these works
than for other famous productions of this great
painter—might find them deficient in brilliancy of
colour, and otherwise lacking from the decorative
point of view. One of these vast compositions is
entitled La Matiere. It represents the flight
through the clouds of a sort of Titan of diabolic
aspect, bearing a woman in his arms. In their
rush through space the pair leave behind them a
number of fluttering cupids, and altogether the
work recalls Tiepolo, without his joyous gaiety.
The other panel shows us La Pensee, pale and
aloof, soaring through the air, while beneath her
a human couple encounter Death, in the shape of
a woman of cameo-like features Besnard's work
is of too much importance to be judged right off.
One must wait to see it in its proper place before
venturing, after long and careful study, to pass a
final opinion thereon.
The four panels by M. Gaston la Touche,
destined to be placed in the Ministry of Agricul-
ture, formed a charming decorative ensemble. The
artist, recalling the fact that the office of the
Ministry was once the mansion of the du Barry,
has let his inspiration go back to the 18th century.
His panels, Le Desir de Plaire, La Bonti d'ame,
La Tendresse du Cceier, and L'Amour maternel,
while quite modern as to treatment, have yet
preserved something of the grace of the grand
sikle. Apes there are like those of Huet, and
"la grand' messe (finistere) ':
by lucien simon
127
a little display of highest import and of profound
instructiveness.
Decorative painting was represented this year by
sundry morceaux of much interest. One's atten-
tion was attracted straightaway— and it was right that
it should be so—to the two great ceilings by
Besnard, intended for the cupola of the Petit-
Palais. It was somewhat difficult to estimate the
value of these two works, which, as seen here, were
neither in the place nor in the light in which they
will be viewed eventually. Without taking these
truths into consideration, one might perhaps be
inclined to express less admiration for these works
than for other famous productions of this great
painter—might find them deficient in brilliancy of
colour, and otherwise lacking from the decorative
point of view. One of these vast compositions is
entitled La Matiere. It represents the flight
through the clouds of a sort of Titan of diabolic
aspect, bearing a woman in his arms. In their
rush through space the pair leave behind them a
number of fluttering cupids, and altogether the
work recalls Tiepolo, without his joyous gaiety.
The other panel shows us La Pensee, pale and
aloof, soaring through the air, while beneath her
a human couple encounter Death, in the shape of
a woman of cameo-like features Besnard's work
is of too much importance to be judged right off.
One must wait to see it in its proper place before
venturing, after long and careful study, to pass a
final opinion thereon.
The four panels by M. Gaston la Touche,
destined to be placed in the Ministry of Agricul-
ture, formed a charming decorative ensemble. The
artist, recalling the fact that the office of the
Ministry was once the mansion of the du Barry,
has let his inspiration go back to the 18th century.
His panels, Le Desir de Plaire, La Bonti d'ame,
La Tendresse du Cceier, and L'Amour maternel,
while quite modern as to treatment, have yet
preserved something of the grace of the grand
sikle. Apes there are like those of Huet, and
"la grand' messe (finistere) ':
by lucien simon
127