Paul Delaroche: An Academic Painter

Paul Delaroche - The Death of Elizabeth I, Queen of England - 1828 - Oil on canvas, 422 x 343 cm - Musée du Louvre, Paris (click photo for larger image)French painter Paul Delaroche’s (1797-1856) early work consists mainly of subjects from the Old Testament, while later he chose subjects from French and English history. He was one of the most popular artists of his day. His paintings satisfied the need for education through art and the demand for sensibility. Both his carefully researched interiors and costumes, as well as the theatrical content of his art rendered his paintings immensely popular. In The Death of Elizabeth I, Queen of England the cultivation of material actually distracts attention from the real subject--the death of the Queen. However, this approach was in keeping with the contemporary taste for decorative history painting, which had gone to extremes in its meticulous attention to detail in the objects, furniture, and costumes. This painting was exhibited at the Salon of 1827/28. Academic painting of this type (also known as Academic Classicism) is what the Impressionists would eventually challenge, in the last quarter of the 19th century. Because of the later popularity of Impressionism and the modern movements that followed, Academic Painting was largely ignored by art historians for many years. We’re finally beginning to take notice of their noteworthy achievements, but progress remains slow. These were remarkable artists. It’s “okay” to admire them--as well as the avant-garde artists. We don’t have to choose one over the other any longer.