Forget Romanticism

Let’s suspend reality for a minute: if Jean-François Millet were still with us, he’d be turning 197 years old today, and we’d probably be waiting to see if he’d hold out another 3 to celebrate the BIG 2-0-0. Truth is, he’d probably hate that sentence. As much as anyone would be flattered to still be spoken about well over a century after their death, Millet wasn’t one for the suspension of reality, and the legacy of the Barbizon School — of which he was a founding father — is still with us to prove it, even if Millet himself isn’t.

150 years later, it’s hard to look at the works of the Barbizon School as having been even in the least bit controversial. If anything (and particularly in the case of Millet), they now appear like the forerunners of Social Realism, a movement that due to its state functions makes “controversy” a little difficult to attach to it. However, this is now and that was then, and back in the early-middle of the 19th century some painters were growing dissatisfied with the dominant trend of Romanticism that had gained popularity in reaction to the Industrial Revolution. It wasn’t just painters growing weary. however. The Revolutions of 1848, although largely considered failures, broke out in 50 countries in response to the new working conditions the Industrial Revolution had ushered in. If any further example of the of the social-political climate at the time is needed, The Communist Manifesto was first published in that year as well. Within that context, it’s easier to see a painting depicting the common worker as being something entirely different than it is today.

Still, you can’t exactly call the Barbizon School a political movement of art. Although many of the Barbizon School’s key painters took the occasion of the Revolutions of 1848 to leave Paris for the nearby village of Barbizon, once there the focus of discussion lay on the natural representation of nature, and not necessarily on the natural representation of the working class. Millet, however, extended those ideals of naturalism to include the people of the countryside, most famously in his 1857 canvas The Gleaners. The Gleaners depicts 3 women gathering what remained from the wheat harvest, or with some metaphorical interpretation, the poor being left with the scraps the wealthy allowed them. Their lack of clear faces further underlined their marginalization. You can imagine how well that went over with the upper and middle classes of the Parisian Art World, who were still reeling from the Revolutions of 1848, and French Revolution before that.

The world’s political climate may be different now, but Barbizon remains a refuge. Here there’s space to think, to be inspired by the same landscapes that have inspired artists since the Barbizon School took up residence, and — dare I say it — even get a bit romantic. Make Hotel Les Pleiades, as chosen by the team at White Line Hotels, your place to suspend some reality.

Give Me the Night

In the 30’s and 40’s Jean “Django” Reinhardt was a living legend in French gypsy culture. He was a virtuoso jazz guitarist and composer creating an upbeat, swing gypsy-jazz fusion that, even by today’s standards, makes your feet move. Born in Belgium, and later living outside of Paris, Django started with a violin but soon moved onto a banjo guitar and turned to straight guitar in the early 30’s. His influences were wide and he sited Louis Armstrong in particular. He later went on to accompany the greats – Duke Ellington, Maury Deutsch and his “brother” Louis Armstrong. After years of eccentric behaviours, Django retired to Samois-sur-Seine in 1951, returning occasionally to Paris to play sold out shows.

His life in Samois-sur-Seine is celebrated yearly with the Django Reinhardt Festival. This year it’s from the 22^nd to the 26^th of June and the names are big. Performances by Django’s son, David Reinhardt, and influential double bassist Avishai Cohen are highlights on the schedule, but the night that’ll have people coming from Paris in droves is Thursday the 23rd when legendary jazzman George Benson takes the stage. He’s going to rock Barbizon and will definitely be giving you the night.

A long June weekend on the outskirts of Paris is absolute heaven. Indulge your senses in a region that inspired paintings from Deschamps, Millet and Rousseau. Make it happen by booking the weekend at Hotel les Pléiades, as chosen by the White Line Hotels crew. The great artists of the region have all spent time at les Pléiades, inspired by the surrounding forests and nature to create some of their greatest works. What will a little timeout in Barbizon do for you?

Photo of Reinhardt by William P. Gottlieb

Simon-Mathurin Lantara at The Barbizon School Museum

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 18^th. 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, White Line Hotels’ insider tip. 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

Barbizon: Magical Forests and Medieval Castles

Less than an hour from Paris troves of medieval cities, castles, fairytale forests, and some of the most prized culinary offerings France has to offer, sit like jewels. Aside from the rich culture and history of Barbizon, the simple pleasure of being there is worth the trip.

White Line Hotels edit Les Pléiades Hotel Barbizon maintains the chic feel of a more metropolitan area, which you’ll immediately notice if you pop by the bar, yet one breath of the fresh morning air and you’ll be sighing with self-satisfaction knowing that you’ve escaped your obligations and appointment calendar, at least for a little bit. Make sure to drop into the hotel bar on a Thursday night, when Congolese born Serge Félix-Tchicaya captivates the crowds with his African influenced blues and jazz.

The first stop on a tour of the region should be at the studios of Theodore Rousseau and Jean-François Millet, both founding members of the renowned Barbizon school of Realist painters. Spend a day in the Fontainebleau forest, three times the size of Manhattan and formerly the playground of royalty. You can partake in almost every type of sport imaginable or just go for a stroll. The Château de Fontainebleau will surely make your list of must see sites and they have an excellent programme of exhibitions anytime of year. Let the design and décor inspire you. In between visits to sites, be sure to wander the streets of Barbizon and rub elbows with the many Parisians who see the town as the perfect weekend getaway.

Before you book, check out the interactive personalized brochure part of the les Pléiades website under “My Brochure”. In a few clicks you can easily assemble all the activities you’re interested in, whether it’s the spa, local dining, culture in the area, or special offers.

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Categories: Barbizon – France, Art, Culture

Contributing writer: Alicia Reuter

Impressionists Atelier

BARBIZON sounds like some neat little place that you should know about – well it is and has been the preferred bolt hole of artists since the 1830’s. It is a sort of French “Cotswolds”  tucked away just south east of the hub of Paris, in the fabulous Fontainebleau Forest.

If you need a place to contemplate, relax, eat like the royals and be pampered – then punch the name Hotel Les Pleiades into your gadgets – it is seriously breathtakingly gorgeous and easy to get to.

Iain & Crew