Revolution Comes To Detroit

By Tasha Lebow

In this period of celebrations honoring antique revolutions, we are fortunate to be close to an exhibition of some of history's finest artists and their recordings of one of history's most exciting revolutions. Now, through May 4th the Detroit Institute of Arts is presenting a rare collection of paintings by French masters made during that country's Revolutionary era (1774-1830).

In 66 turbulent years the French people sporadically changed their government from the most decadent monarchy in history; to a maniacal, terror-filled purge; to a shakey, war-threatened republic; to the seat of the Emperor of Europe; to a restoration of the original monarchy; to a constitutional monarchy. For centuries, the finest artists (in fact, all the people of France) worked for the amusement of the nobility and suffered extensive limitations on their styles and subjects. But when the Revolution occurred, the artists were among the first to be liberated and they painted to further record and glorify the Revolution and its ideals.

The exhibition opens with the simpering, bloated face of Louis XVI in a state portrait that communicates all the decadent luxury of his elite class. There are depictions of popular legends and other court-commissioned portraits, which contrast intensely to the meager life depicted in works which realistically record the lower classes' experiences. Louis' jewels and furs were more expensive than he had imagined, for 4 years after he sat for the portrait mentioned above, he, his queen and 200,000 of his friends were guilloutined.

In the years during the Revolution the liberated artists became more bold, dramatic and impressively symbolic; the paintings inspire deep libertarian and humanitarian feelings by just gazing at them. The works exhibited by Delacroix, David, Regnault and others document the Revolutionary Ideal, as well as being the actual pieces that catalyzed the movement.

For the following 14 years France was guided through history by Napoleon, who of course also guided her greatest artists, and the exhibit continues with exciting military works commemorating great victories, scenes from pertinent myths, and a room that contains three larger-than-life portraits of Napoleon that communicate the presence of The Emperor himself.

With his defeat, and the return to the Bourbon monarchs much of the old conservativism returned to France, but the artists maintained their artistic freedoms, and escaped further from the neo-classicalism of the 18th century, experimenting with subjects and portrayals.

In this exhibit, the political, social, philosophic and artistic changes of 2 active generations are recorded through major artists portrayals of daily life, history, mythology, landscapes and portraits of people in favor. Throughout the period the French instincts of sensitive and sensual natures, combined with expertise of the brush, forceful colors and dynamic scenes make this exhibit an unforgettable visual and educational experience.