"The Advent of the Artist" at the Louvre

Every time I come to Paris, I renew my membership with the Amis du Louvre and buy a yearly pass. This allows me to cut the security line and it makes it easy to stop by for just an hour or two anytime. I don't feel like I have to spend the whole day there.

Pyramid du Louvre

The Louvre's Petite Galerie has changing exhibitions. The current one is called "The Advent of the Artist." During the Renaissance, artists asserted their independence and wanted recognition as more than just craftsmen. They developed the self-portrait genre of painting during this period.

The Advent of the Artist

One of Rembrandt's self portraits was in this gallery. And I had never seen what Tintoretto looked like. He was not as I expected for some reason.

Rembrandt

Tintoretto

Tintoretto's face seems a bit sad, but he looks very gentle.

Next to each portrait was an explanation or critique of the painting written by an art critic or art historian.

Albrecht Durer's self portrait was painted at the time of his engagement to be married. The thistle he is holding symbolizes faithfulness.

Albrecht Durer

The artist Eugène Delacroix has really grown on me. He seemed like such a handsome bad boy of the romantic era. I loved his self portrait.

Eugène Delacroix

But my favorite painting was the self portrait of Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun, Marie Antoinette's favorite painter. It is a nice looking woman  with a pleasant smile holding her child. But no, this painting was scandalous!

Vigée Le Brun

The following is a critique of the painting by an art expert written when it was exhibited at the 1787 Salon:

"She shows herself holding her daughter in her arms. Serenity graces her brow, joy sparkles in the eyes; she exults in carrying such a precious burden returning to her child every smile she receives. One affectation condemned by artists, connoisseurs and people of taste alike, and for which there is no example among the ancients, is that she shows her teeth when smiling; this affectation is above all inappropriate for a mother. She restrains no gestures and succumbs freely to the fervors of her fond enthusiasm."

Oh dear! She barely shows her teeth when she smiles. People of taste would never pose with such a smile--so inappropriate for a mother!

I love finding these little gems at the Louvre.

Under the Pyramid