Caricatures of salons and artists, 1785-1910

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Summary

Abstract:
Caricatures of salons and artists, 1785-1910 Approximately 720 caricatures, most taken from French journals, but also some prints and original drawings. Items parody various aspects of French culture: the Parisian salons and other art exhibitions; current events and society; and art, literary, and political figures.
Extent:
720.0 items
Language:
Collection material is in French

Background

Scope and content:

This artificial collection, assembled by the repository, contains approximately 720 French caricatures of the Parisian salons and other exhibitions, artists and art world types, literary figures, politicians and current events. Most of the caricatures are from the 19th century.

Most caricatures are on sheets from disbound journals, such as La vie parisianne, Le journal amusant, Le petit journal pour rire , and Le charivari. Caricaturists include Bertall, Cham, Daumier, Gavarni, Gill, Grévin, Mars, Nadar, Stop (pseudonym for Morel-Retz) and others. The collection includes a few prints and 12 original drawings, of which some are sketches by Grévin.

Among the artists caricatured are Carpeaux, Corot, Courbet, the architect Charles Garnier, Gérome, Ingres, Manet, the photographer Nadar, and Seurat. Other caricatures portray art critics, collectors, dealers, and the art viewing public. In addition to caricaturing artists and art events (especially the salons), the drawings also parody French literary figures (including Champfleury and Edmond About), politicans, and events such as the development of photography and construction of the Eiffel Tower. There is also one folder containing caricatures of caricaturists.

The journals in this collection often contain several caricatures relating to a number of subjects. For cataloging purposes, however, the citation for a journal may list only one caricature title. In some cases a listing of additional subjects has been attempted, but these listings are not considered exhaustive. Further investigation on the part of the researcher is therefore strongly encouraged.

(cut) = Indicates that the item has been cut from its original journal, and that pertinent information may therefore be missing. Many of these cut items are mounted on paper.

Arrangement note

The prints are arranged in 3 series: Series I. Caricatures of salon exhibitions, 1785-1910; Series II. Caricatures of artists and other subjects, 1821-1910; Series III. Original drawings, undated

Biographical / historical:

By the 19th century, caricature in France had become a highly evolved form of public discourse about famous figures (politicans, artists and writers, etc.) and the events of the day. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, French periodicals such as La vie parisienne, Le journal amusant, Le petit journal pour rire and Le charivari became well-known for the caricatures they published. Caricaturists (many of whom published under pseudonyms) themselves became public figures.

Acquisition information:
Collection formed by the repository through several different acquisitions.
Physical location:
Request access to the physical materials described in this inventory through the catalog record for this collection. Click here for the access policy.
Rules or conventions:
Archives, Personal Papers, and Manuscripts

Access and use

Location of this collection:
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 1100
Los Angeles, CA 90049-1688, US
Contact:
(310) 440-7390
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