Monday 4 November 2013

Ban it.....everyone wants it


Matinée de Septembre (or September Morn) is a painting by the French artist Paul Emile Chabas (1869–1937). Painted over three summers ending in 1912, it became famous when it provoked a scandal in the USA.

Chabas first exhibited the painting in the Paris Salon in 1912, where it won a medal but did not create any sensation. The next year, when it was displayed in a window of an art gallery in Chicago, Illinois (USA), it came to the attention of the mayor of the city who charged the owner of the gallery with indecency. The resulting court case, which the art dealer won, made the painting famous.

The underlying message is true of all things - make something taboo or a bit risqué, then give it the air of media attention, and it will catch on for sure:)

Have a good week.

Ronnie
xx

Picture from lovelyderrier

17 comments:

Roz said...

I hadn't heard of this painting, or the story behind it. Thanks for sharing Ronnie. Your last paragraph is so true!

Hugs,
Roz

Hermione said...

It's a lovely painting, and far less risque than much of what goes on in public nowadays.

Hugs,
Hermione

bob said...

I am amazed at what use to cause an uproar back then.
Thanks for the little history behind the painting

Bob

Aimless Rambling said...

What a beautiful painting.

As I've said before, all the Puritans came over here. Oh well.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing. Very interesting story.

Hug,
joey

SPANKEDHORTIC II said...

And that explains why so many people got a copy of that steaming pile of male bovine excrement, Fifty Shades of Grey. Fortunately, unlike that book, this painting is wonderful.

Prefectdt

Unknown said...

I like the painting. I wonder if it would be a famous painting if there wasn't so much uproar about it back then?
Kim

Anonymous said...

I don't think I have ever seen it before but it is quite lovely.

DD wife

ronnie said...

Roz - Just found it interesting. Thanks.

Hermione - Thought is was quite lovely. Thanks.

Bob - My pleasure. Thanks.

SG - We have a lot over here and a few in our office:) Thanks.

Joey - I thought so. Cheers.

Prefectdt - I wonder what the film will be like. Thanks.

Kim - Very doubtful. No eyebrows raised in Paris. Thank you.

DD wife - Hello. New painting to me as well. Thanks.

Love,
Ronnie
xx

Cat said...

Hey Ronnie...I have seen this lovely painting before but had never heard the story behind it...thanks for sharing. As Sunny said...all the puritans came to the US. *sigh*

Blessings...
Cat

Minielle Labraun said...

The painting is absolutely beautiful. I cannot imagine why something like that caused a stir when So many pieces of religious art are of nudes!
But there were artists who went to prison for painting what was considered pornography. We would be amazed by their definition now!

ronnie said...

Cat - Not all of them, we have quite a few here:) Thanks.

Minelle - So right. Thanks.

Love,
Ronnie
xx

sarah thorne said...

It IS a beautiful painting. Wouldn't hang it in the family room, tho. Maybe the bedroom! ;)

ronnie said...



Sarah - Don't know, think I would hand it in living room. Thanks.

Love,
Ronnie
xx

Kenzie said...

Isn't that the truth! :)

ronnie said...

Kenzie - Sure is. Thanks.

Love,
Ronnie
xx

Anonymous said...

A nude woman is always a pleasant sight to see...
bottoms up
Red