Paul Flandrin, sur nature. Unknown paintings of the Italian period (1834-1838)

Abstract

Paul Flandrin (1811-1902) is a painter with a long career, whichbegan at Lyon’s Fine Arts Academy and went on in Paris, both atthe Academy and in Ingres’ atelier. But it was only during his fiveyears trip to Italy (1834-1835) that he found his vocation as alandscape painter. In Rome, even if he was not a pensionnaire ofthe Villa Medici, he became acquainted with the Academy circle,where the master Ingres was the Director. Over the course ofthese five years, Paul Flandrin looked closely at Corot andlearned from Ingres.

For a painter with a classical education, how much does theexperience in Italy matter? For a pupil of Ingres, what does thechoice for landscape mean? For a landscape painter arriving inRome in the 1830s, what does Corot’s heritage mean?

The article aims to answer these questions through a selection ofpreviously unknown artworks, both drawings and paintings. Theresearch moves from the analysis of the artist’s method, hisperception of nature on the spot, his fast recording and the finalcomposition in the studio. There comes out the complex profile ofa neoclassical landscape painter working in the 19^th century.