Paysage de rivière animé d’un berger et de lavandières, 1769
Barbizon, France
Even with the most highly skilled artists, sometimes the legend of their personality and lives exceeds their work in the annals of time. For some the building of that legend becomes a life’s literal body of artistic work, of which Andy Warhol is usually cited as the undisputed master. Before there was even an America for Warhol’s family to dream of emigrating to, however, there was Simon-Mathurin Lantara, whose legend at Versailles was born out of behavior that makes Warhol look like a serious businessman by comparison. Maybe Jackson Pollock would be a better modern figure to keep in mind because, after all, even 30 years after Lantara’s death a comedy based on his drinking habits became a great success.
This prototype of the bohemian artist found great success because of a great talent, but grew bored and listless under the constraints of living among society’s upper crust. After receiving the proceeds from a sale, Lantara was known to disappear into obscure corners, and obscure bars, until financial pressure would return him to his easel. Not surprisingly, his works are not numerous, but at the new exhibition at The Barbizon School Museum we are given food for thought about the true body of work of the artist, to whom at least countless drawing are attributed. The exhibition is split into 2 parts, one of which is dedicated to his works from the French Public Collections, and the other to archive documents that illustrate the artist’s legendary life.
Lantara can be considered a forerunner to the Barbizon School of painters. While you’re at the museum, don’t miss the permanent collections, including rooms where the Barbizon artists painted on every available surface of this former inn.
The Simon-Mathurin Lantara exhibition runs until July 18th. Musée de l’École de Barbizon (Barbizon School Museum), 92 Grande-Rue, Barbizon, France. Opening hours: Wed.-Mon. 10am -12:30 and 2pm – 5:30pm
Keep walking where great artists walked before you at Hotel les Pléiades. It’s no mistake if something reminds you to a favorite painting.
Image: Paysage de rivière animé d’un berger et de lavandières, 1769, Simon-Mathurin Lantara
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