From Reynolds to Turner, the golden age of English painting crosses the Channel

The new Fall season of exhibitions is filled with good news, starting with the gift from the Tate Gallery, in London, to the Musée du Luxembourg. Until the 16th of February 2020, « The Golden Age of English Painting » will focus on this era, putting the accent on the triumphant ascension of Joshua Reynolds, Thomas Gainsborough, as well as the foundation of the Royal Academy of Arts.

English painting at its apex

This exhibition opens with the presentation of the two painters, recognized as portrait masters, who rivaled to elevate the style at very special visual and intellectual levels. They paid homage to the great masters through full-length and intimate studies, with stunning ressemblances, of notables, personalities or members of the royal family.

George Roomney and Thomas Gainsborough depict the lives of established families during their era and the aristocracy. © RMN

« The honorable Miss Mockton » by Reynolds, and « Lady Bate-Dudley » by Gainsborough, display great interest for the portrait. © RMN

The narrative figure and imaginary at the summit of art

The two of them led a generation towards new artistic summits. Their influence is explored through a selection of major portraits, painted by their disciples such as John Hopper, William Beechey and Thomas Lawrence. These artists made narrative figuration evolve towards the sublime, and opened the way to art conception like a support of the imaginary.

John Martin painted « The Destruction of Pompei » similar to an antique apocalypse. © DR