Famous French Painters
Famous French painters have been a dominant influence in art. Like other great artists they transform the way we look at life. Seeing out of our eyes into the world that is, was, and could be. Intimate peeks, often emotional and sometimes bizarre. What fun! I love art.
Famous French paintings can be viewed in all of the fine art museums throughout France. Seeing art in person is a wonderful experience in France. Art is a big part of the culture of France . French culture gives your trip dimension. After all, France would not be France without its culture.
Famous French Painters of the Baroque Era
The Four Seasons: Autumn (The Spies with the Grapes of the Promised Land) by Poussin
The most famous were:
- Nicolas Poussin (1594 – 1665)
- Claude Lorrain (1600 – 1682)
Rococo
Aurore by Fragonard
Jean Honoré Fragonard (1732 -1806)
Depicted young woman outdoors in nature and the pre-revolutionary
aristocracy enjoying the good life. Born in Grasse in the south of
France which is famous for perfume manufacturing.
Neoclassism
Le Bain Turc by Ingres
With the French Revolution came the return to classic art of Rome but with sharper colors.
Jacques-Louis David (1748 – 1825)
The first famous painter of the neoclassic school. A supporter of the
Revolution and depicted images of the revolution. The first famous
neoclassic painting was his, “The Oath of Horatii”. Another of his
paintings, Death of Marat, 1793 is the haunting image of Marat stabbed
and dead in his bathtub.
Jean-Auguste Dominique Ingres (1780 – 1867)
Considered one of the greatest painters of the neoclassic school. His
work shows his beautiful fascination with backs and necks.
Romanticism
The Raft of Medusa by Géricault
Led by the French. Dramatic color, free gesture, exotic subject matter…the wild uncontrollable aspects of nature.
Théodore Géricault (1791 – 1824)
The leader of the movement and teacher to Delacroix. His painting, “The
Raft of Medusa” is an important painting that displays in form and
technique all that makes up Romanticism.
You can view "the Raft of Medusa" at the Louvre Museum in Paris. It's one of their star attractions.
Eugène Delacroix (1798 – 1863)
Became the leader of the Romantic Movement after the death of Géricault
and surpassed him in greatness. His work was highly influenced by the
classical style.
Impressionism Era
Olympia by Manet
Édouard Manet (1832 – 1883)
Considered the father of modern art. A Realist, not an Impressionist but
greatly influenced the Impressionists and exhibited with them.
The famous French artists, writer Emile Zola, a friend and supporter of
his work and the famous French poet Baudelaire, a close friend.
You can view Manet paintings at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, as well as the other famous French painters listed here, from mid 19th century Romanticism to late 19th century Impressionist paintings.
Edgar Degas (1834 – 1917)
Not an Impressionist, drawn to Classicism. Observed ballet classes at
the Paris Opera House and attended performances. Ballet became the
major subject of his work in the 1870s. A bit of a recluse.
Impressionism
Water Lily Pond by Monet
Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841 – 1919)
Renoir paintings favored people enjoying happy times. Worked closely with Monet.
Claude Monet (1840 – 1926)
Considered the greatest of the Impressionists.
You can visit his house and the garden where he painted in Giverny France, which is open to the public.
Monet paintings and Monet pictures can be viewed at the Musee d’Orsay in Paris.
Post-Impressionism
Breton Girls Dancing by Gauguin
Moving more towards the abstract, and adding emotion to the reality they depicted.
Famous French painters considered geniuses:
- Paul Cézanne (1839 – 1906)
- Paul Gauguin (1848 – 1903)
You can visit Pont-Aven in Brittany France where Gauguin painted.
Henri Toulouse-Lautrec (1864 – 1901)
His most famous paintings are of prostitutes and dancers at the Moulin Rouge in Paris.
Nabis
Aprés Le Repas by Vuillard
French painters of this era were highly influenced by Gauguin, they depicted life at home using large-scale forms and beautiful color.
Pierre Bonnard (1867 – 1947)
Édouard Vuillard (1868 – 1940)
The 20th Century
Color, color, color!
Fauvist
A period of 5 years and the beginning of the modern movement.
Henri Matisse (1869 – 1954)
Started the Fauvist movement and a master of color. He is considered the
most influential and famous painter of the 20th century (along with
Picasso). He continued to experiment with different styles.
Andre Derain (1880 – 1954)
Georges Rouault (1871 – 1958)
Raoul Dufy (1877 – 1955)
Light airy and joyful style.
At the Pompidou Centre in Paris you can view the work of Matisse and other famous French painters from the 20th century Fauvist period through to the work of today’s modern French painters.
Cubist
Famous French painters:
Férnand Leger (1881 – 1955)
His style developed beyond pure cubism. Considered a forerunner of Pop Art.
Georges Braque (1882 – 1963)
Robert Delaunay (1885-1941)
Helpful Paris Facts articles:
The monuments of Paris
A tourist map of Paris with the tops sites indicated
Visiting Paris? You’ll want to know about:
The best shopping in Paris
An overview of Paris boutique hotels
An overview of Paris budget hotels
Other places to visit in France:
In Nice, after visiting the Musée Matisse, you can enjoy the beautiful French Riviera beaches
Tourist attractions in France
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