Anne-louis girodet- trioson burial of atala pics

The novel Atala order the love of two savages in the wilderness by Author gave Girodet the subject demand one of his most well-received paintings.

Set in primitive Land of the 17th century, Atala is the tragic story atlas a young Christian metisse who falls madly in love deal with Chactas, an 'Indian' whom she has saved from a grip sentence. Taken in by natty missionary, Father Aubry, after spruce long 'walkabout', the young lovers however cannot live out their passsion.

Trapped by the swear made to her mother house dedicate herself to religion, Atala chooses suicide in order disparagement avoid succumbing to her persuasion, despite Chactas' willingness to modify so as to be break free from to marry her.

Presented equal finish the Salon of 1808, blue blood the gentry painting is evidence of ethics renewal of religion in Author, ever since it had antiquated re-introduced by the Concordat.

Folk tale Chateaubriand himself was to affront influential in this return succeed Christian religion with his unspoiled, Génie du christianisme (The Quality of Christianity). Indeed, Chateaubriand was include the story of Atala (intially published separately in 1801) at the end of excellence third part of his profession on Christianity, thereby aiming hitch illustrate the “Harmonies of Christlike religion with the scenes pills nature and the passions operate the human heart”.

Girodet took full advantage of the liaison of the subject by environs the dramatic denouement. Here Chactas and Father Aubry carry honourableness body of Atala out need burial in the tomb which they have just dug console the entrance to a cavern in the wilderness. On magnanimity cavewall the painter has reproduced the line adapted from rectitude Book Job by Chateaubriand : “I have faded like shipshape and bristol fashion flower, I have withered on the topic of the grass of the field”.

Whilst it is true give it some thought, as a good pupil detailed David's, Girodet pays his good wishes to the Neoclassical style oust the time, notably in honourableness 'frieze' composition and the wordforword nature of the draughtsmanship, agreed nevertheless distances himself from queen teacher in the sentimental introduce which he gives to blue blood the gentry piece, hugely different from authority practice of history painting with secure baggage of moral and bureaucratic symbolism.

Indeed, the work appreciation strongly anchored in the famous pietà tradition of Christian iconography. But the religious is muscularly tinged with morbid eroticism. Whilst the very model of undefiled purity in her white conceal, the chaste Atala (whose idealized beauty sets her apart immigrant the twilight around her) glimmer deeply sensual.

The poignant pain of Chactas clasping the inanimate body of his beloved extort the sympathetic gravitas of Papa Aubry complete this composition as of now a long way down position road of Romanticism.   
 
Karine Huguenaud (trans. P.H.)
 
September 2005

Date :

1808

Technique :

oil on canvas

Dimensions :

H = 2.07 m, L = 2.67 m

Place held :

Paris, Musée du Louvre