Essay on Musee d'Orsay: Home to the Finest French Art 1848-1914

Musee d'Orsay is a French museum located in Paris on the left bank of River Seine. Previously, the museum housed the former Gare d'Orsay, an old railway station constructed at the beginning of the 19th century. The museum is home to ancient French art dating back from 1848 to 1914, ranging from photography, sculptures, furniture, and even paintings. It has the most extensive collection of post-impressionist and impressionist masterworks of the world by the world's famous painters at the time. The paper will compare the following pieces of art.

Formal Analysis

The painting consists of curvy and short lines that appear throughout the art as lines of color swim around and through the doctor. The painting has a background of hills which are painted in a lighter blue with the doctor having a very bright and pale skin color. The heavy colors were the artist's way of communicating the doctor has deep-seated emotional unwellness. The skin tone was sallow and wore foxglove. The painting has too many lines on the face, which creates a sad feeling expression. The arm is easily differentiated from the rest of the body parts through the diverse colors and style. His droopy eyes further show his distanced, disengaged glance. The oil painting on the canvas makes it hard to see it from the computer screen.

The ballet class by Edgar Degas (1871-1874)

Edgar Degas had full control over the backstage with a hard task to ensure flawless performance, which is witnessed by the audience on the stage. The outstanding contrast of events which take time to prepare made Edgar to enforce on physical exertion and rehearsal, the glamorous pose and the social interaction and all blended by the creativity of art cooked backstage.

In the world of ballet by Jules Parrot, who is the master in the artistic ballet, the great word of art is blended within the clear picture of well-fixed cadence with his baton. On the Ballerina who is juxtaposed with a fan on hand, the stage set diagonal fixed to bring the contrast to the art; she is a girl this time twisting to reach and scratch her back and seemingly closing her eyes. She demonstrates all this movement delightful; this is captured memorably and candidly as a snapshot by Degas himself. The uniform flow of ideas completes the set as another girl is adjusting her earing, and many dancers appear in unison competing for the set.

The focus is directed to their mother, who stands by them, some are talking, and others are left to observe. The chronology of events is well set, and now the daughter is to be prepared, the diagonal floor and wide aerial viewpoint complete the set. The dancers are dressed in plain white tutus and are often assumed during the performance; the different dress codes distinguish the artist from ballerinas.

The ribbons which complete them, the bracelets, the colorful flowers in their hair, the way they systematically conduct themselves, and unique earrings all bring the admirable picture. The dancers are taking more part than just being ordinary dancers on stage; they are seen to take part in numerous roles, which are an exception on a normal stage set. The dancers take an active role in talking and bring uniformity in building the story, one can even feel the huge feel the hard task and transition upon them, and they are eager to see the ballet class ends.

Ballet Class

Subject Matter

The Ballet Class was painted by Degas. This painting was done for the French opera singer and commissioned by Jean-Baptiste Faure, an art collector. This artwork was compelled by the artist's passion for ballerinas at work, while in rehearsal or even at rest. This compelled feeling took him to investigate the gestures and posture in detail.

Iconography

The piece of art is a representation of the artist's advancement in the urge to create fancy. Degas took this advancement into his works of the ballet dancers.

Symbolism

This piece symbolizes the artist's keenness to spot pauses and gestures; natural and ordinary

Historical Context

Social and Political Conditions

Some social and political conditions are marked with this piece of art. In this period, there was a great depression of 1873, which lasted for twenty-three years. Apart from the depression, there was also a ten-year decline in the French net national product.

Historical Events

This art was painted during some renowned past events. During this painting works, the First Franco-Dahomean war, a conflict between France and Dahomey, took place.

An economic depression is also deemed historical in the era of this artwork.

Economic Trends

Some remarkable economic trends mark this great art. For five or six consecutive years, the was a high rate of unemployment, which exceeded ten percent. There was also an increased seventy-five percent on the value of farm property. During the same period of the creation of this art, a financial panic was also experienced.

Cultural and Religious Attitudes

The Work desire was encouraged by the various cultural and religious attitudes in the area. During that period, there was much urge of romanticism in art whereby imaginations and emotions were emphasized on cultures.

On regards to religion, atheism and agnosticism had now spread over Europe, where some individuals did not believe in the existence of god, and some didn't even bother.

In this time, many economic and cultural ties had been resumed between Germany and France.

Geography

This artwork was performed in Paris, France, in the French countryside, Farmlands.

Other Works of Art during the period

During the creation of this art, there were other ongoing artworks. These other arts were works of various artists. Surprisingly, the painter of Dr. Paul Gache, Vincent van Gogh, also had other ongoing works running concurrently with the dr. Paul Gache's artwork. These concurrent works include; The Wheatfield with Crows and Still Life; vase with Pink Roses Paintings. Apart from Vincent van Gogh's works, Georges Seurat also made the Young Woman Powdering Herself Painting during the same period.

The history of French art and revolution changes during the change

Social and Political Conditions

Ecole des Beaux-Art

Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris is an art school where Degas studied art. Degas is considered as one of the creators of modern architecture. Impressionist Exhibitions in Paris

The French Third Republic.

French third republic was developed n 1870 by France. It established many of the colonial possessions for France, and large territories in Africa during the scramble and partition of Africa. It was a republican rule, which moved towards uniting the France citizens. The French fight against the catholic church corruption in France is one of the revolution moves. Historical Events

Franco-German War also called the Franco-Prussian War

Franco-German War, also called the Franco-Prussian War, was a mark of the end of French hegemony and led to the unified German.

Developed a French colonial empire

Economic Trends

French colonial empire was a sum of all the territories that were not I the European continent but were under French control. The realm boosted France economically as it formed may trading partners with the colonial empire territories. It was also viewed as superior by other European countries in terms of economy and power.

Second industrial revolution

The revolution took place in the years from around 1870 and 1914. It led to the growth of industries such as petroleum, steel, and electricity. Many products replaced other older products, for instance, steel replaced iron steel. Rapid changes took place in various industries...