ECR French Nineteenth-Century Art Network Research Forum: Composing the Decorative: Maurice Denis, Music, and the Search for French Cultural Tradition
14 June 2023 - 1700 (BST)
Maurice Denis (1870-1943) is best known today for his involvement with the group of young painters known as the Nabis, who became well-known in Paris during the early 1890s. But much work remains to be done on assessing the wider significance both of his turn-of-the-century ‘conversion’ to classicism, and of his increasingly earnest determination to revitalize sacred art in France. This talk concentrates primarily on the artist’s turn-of-the-century post-Nabi decorative work, considering how it was not only shaped by, but also helped to strengthen, classicising and religious tendencies within French art, as well as associated conservative ideological currents within French culture more broadly. It argues that an examination of Denis’s links to his musical contemporaries (principally the composer Vincent d’Indy and the pupils of César Franck), who themselves were active in these debates on matters of cultural identity, reveals much about the significance of this art and of the wider character of a renascent cultural nationalism in early twentieth-century France.
Rachel Coombes defended her DPhil in History of Art at St John's College, University of Oxford in January 2023. Her thesis considered the socio-political significance of the decorative work of the French painter Maurice Denis (1870 –1943). She is currently a Stipendiary Lecturer in History of Art at St John’s College and Worcester College in Oxford. Her research interests lie in the interrelationships between the visual arts and music, the role of these arts within collective and cultural memory, and the place of religion and politics in artistic expression. Along with Matthew French, she helped to co-found the ECR French Nineteenth Century Art Network in early 2022.
This event will take place at 1700 BST
This is a virtual event - the Zoom link will be sent out on the day. For any issues please get in contact via email and we will try and help as best we can.
This event is open to anyone with an interest in the topic discussed.
About the Research Forum: ECR French Nineteenth-Century Art Network Research Forum is a virtually held research forum that allows recent PhD graduates, early career researchers as well as research fellows to present their most recent research. The forum aims to expose new and emerging scholarship and scholars engaging in exciting areas of research. The sessions will last around one hour, including an opportunity for questions and answers after the presentation. The events are open to all.
About the Network: The network is formed of current PhD students and ECRs working in nineteenth-century visual culture. We have monthly sessions for ECRs to present virtually , allowing them to develop their skills and share their research. It is global, open to those located anywhere in the world who wish to join. Feel free to join and participate, and we hope to create an engaging, diverse, fun and rewarding community.
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