Artist Gustave Moreau: biography, creativity

What do we know about the artists of the 19th century? Loud names are heard by everyone, but there are those who remained unknown to the world. Each of them contributed to the art with his canvases. The artist Gustave Moreau was one of those who became one of the great painters, he rightfully takes his place there.

Youth

The French symbolist was born in Paris in the 19th century. He immediately understood who he wanted to be, and so for a long time he studied at the school of fine arts. Already from the youth the direction in his works was manifested: the biblical. He created paintings on mysterious topics, so his work is still fascinating and carries something secret and mystical.

After school, Gustave Moreau decides to enter the academy. Thanks to his father, he was able to stay in the Louvre when he needed to, and work there, inspired by the masterpieces of world geniuses. In 1848, Moreau participated in the Grand Prix competition. Both attempts were unsuccessful, and the painter left the academy.

To be inspired, the great artists of the 19th century loved to travel in search of a muse. Moreau went to Italy two times. At this time he was able to get into all the most beautiful corners of this country: Venice, Florence, Rome, Naples. Apart from the extraordinary architecture of that time, here he studied the Renaissance and the famous authors of the time.

Work with the state

In addition to the fact that Gustave Moreau, whose paintings have already been successful, worked on his masterpieces, he fulfilled the order of the state. His task was to create a huge copy of the canvas of Carracci. Creation was pleasant to everyone, and he was given another order for a copy of the picture, but Moro declined, saying that he wanted his books to be bought, not copies of his colleagues. After such a statement, Gustave was ordered to create his own canvas.

A new stage of creativity

A new stage began with the purchase of housing. The father was very fond of his son, so in 1852 he bought him a chic house. From the windows could be seen the station of Saint-Lazare, nearby the river Seine rustled . Moro immediately decided on one of the floors to create a personal creative place and start working. The chic mansion helped him and inspired him. Gustave lived in excellent conditions, fulfilling the orders of the state. He gradually began to enter the circles of famous artists.

During this period, he learned about the pregnancy of his girlfriend, who lived in Rome. The painter decided to leave the unfortunate. With this decision his mother also agreed, she believed that both the wedding and the little child would destroy the career of the future great painter. This journey through Italy took several years. Gustav's parents also came here, deciding to accompany the artist on his trips. In Italy, he was inspired by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Krivelli and other great artists. Therefore, he brought back home sketches and ready-made paintings, impregnated with Italian color.

Sudden love and dizzying success

After returning to the French capital, Moreau starts working in his mansion, sometimes visiting friends. On one of these evenings, he spoke with governess Alexandrin Duro. Sudden light love grows into an incredible passion, but the feelings of lovers hide.

The death of his father in 1862 touched the artist, and in his grief he decided to give himself up to art and education. Moro's quarries are in demand, and it is becoming popular both in Paris and far beyond. In the late 60's Gustave became the head of the jury of the very Grand Prix, in which he was defeated twice in his youth. In the mid-70's, the painter received the highest award of France - the Order of the Legion of Honor.

Sunset creativity

In 1884, Gustave lost his mother. This tragic event did not allow him to calmly create, and for six months he could not work fruitfully. Also I let myself know about myself and my age. Gustave more and more often leaves Paris, travels to other countries, accompanied by his beloved Alexandrin. Already in 1888 he became a member of the Academy of Fine Arts, and three years later became a professor at the Paris School of Art.

In the early 1890's Alexandrin died, five years later Gustave completed his gigantic work "Jupiter and Semele" and decides to organize a museum in his house. The artist died in 1898, he was buried in the cemetery of Montmartre, somewhere near his beloved Alexandrin Duro resting.

The Museum

Before his death Gustave Moreau, whose biography is rich and bright, left the city with his works and property. The painter was able to keep a collection of his paintings and sketches, he also collected works by great artists, sculptors, rare furniture and other items from the 19th century.

The Gustave Moreau House Museum has now become an extraordinarily popular place in Paris. Although the painter was not able to translate his ideas into reality, the Paris City Hall took care of its heritage. The city has created an unusual house-museum, in which is now the most complete collection of paintings by the French artist.

This "painter's paradise" took two floors. On the first - all the walls are hung with works by Moreau. To help future art connoisseurs Gustave made descriptions of the paintings, in the museum these notes were translated into English as well. In addition, among the finished works on the easels are those that the artist left unfinished.

The second floor is filled with a collection of paintings by other artists, as well as sculptures, antique furniture - everything that Gustave Moreau could collect himself. At the moment, a pass to the house museum costs 6 euros for adults, and children under 18 years old admission is free.

Paintings

Among the paintings that the painter left after himself, there are known to everyone. One of them is "Jupiter and Semele," written two years before the death of the artist. On the canvas are depicted allegorical figures that bear a certain significance: Death, Suffering, Night, etc.

The whole space is filled with unusual plants, fantastic architectural solutions and sculptural sculptures. It is very important that the artist comments all this abundance of images and fantasies, as it is difficult for the viewer to independently identify all the characters. The very legend of Semele on the canvas acquires a certain mysticism and mystery.

Analyzing the art of Gustave, it becomes clear his desire for "necessary magnificence." Painter claimed that we should pay attention to the masters of the past, who will not teach us poor art. Artists of the past tried to display on their canvases only the richest, rare and magnificent that was in their time. Dresses, which they depicted in their works, jewelry, objects - all this was adopted and Moreau.

Another popular picture of Gustave is the "Phenomenon", which he created in 1876. Like many others, it contains a religious plot, in this case - the Gospel. The canvas is about Salome, who dances before Herod, behind the head of John the Baptist. At this time before Salome is the head of John, creating a magnificent dazzling radiance.