The Powerhouses of Symbolism: Pierre Puvis de Chavannes

(Last Updated On July 9, 2022)

Pierre Puvis de Chavannes was a major influence on a whole range of artists, including Auguste Rodin, Georges de Feure and Ludwig von Hofmann.  He co-founded and headed up the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts. Chavannes’ representation of Hope as a delicate, serene adolescent girl was not well-regarded by critics of the time—some critics suggested that Hope should be represented by a strong and vigorous adult woman.  But the painting became one of his most cherished works in short order despite the critics.

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Pierre Puvis de Chavannes – Doux pays (Sweet Country)

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Pierre Puvis de Chavannes – Doux pays (Sweet Country) (detail)

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Pierre Puvis de Chavannes – Hope (1872)

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Pierre Puvis de Chavannes – Pro Patria Ludux (detail)

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Pierre Puvis de Chavannes – Saint Geneviève as a Child

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Pierre Puvis de Chavannes – Fillette nue agenouillée

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Pierre Puvis de Chavannes – Fillette nue, de profil à droite, la main gauche sur la poitrine

There is also a clothed version of ‘Hope’ (original French title ‘L’espérance’); both nude and clothed versions can be seen on Celestial Venus and on Wikimedia Commons (here and here); the various image files have different colours and contrast (Editor, 2017/02/22)

Wikipedia: Pierre Puvis de Chavannes (more information in French Wikipedia)

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