Jean Béraud
Jean Béraud (1849–1935) was a French painter known for his elegant and detailed depictions of Parisian life during the Belle Époque. Béraud is celebrated for his genre scenes, which captured the vibrancy, charm, and social dynamics of Paris in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, where his father worked as a sculptor, Béraud moved to Paris at a young age. After initially studying law, he switched to painting, studying under Léon Bonnat at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris.
Béraud’s paintings often focused on the daily life of Parisians, from bustling streets and elegant cafés to theaters and fashionable promenades. He was a keen observer of the urban middle class, capturing moments of leisure, work, and social interaction. His works are marked by their attention to detail, particularly in the rendering of clothing, architecture, and atmospheric effects like light and shadow. Through his meticulous realism, Béraud documented the changing face of Paris during its golden age, making his works both artistic and historical records of the time.
One of his most notable contributions was his ability to depict the lively, dynamic life of Paris with a sense of immediacy. Paintings like "Le Café de Paris" and "L'arrivée des midinettes" show his skill in portraying the energy and movement of crowds while also focusing on the individual figures. His portraits of fashionable women, carriages, and bustling streets reflect both the elegance and the everyday life of the Parisian bourgeoisie.
Though Béraud is most famous for his genre scenes, he also painted religious subjects in modern settings, such as "The Madeleine, Good Friday", which places biblical events in contemporary Paris. His unique blend of realism and social commentary distinguished him from other artists of his time, making him a significant figure in the French art scene.
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Full Name: Jean Béraud
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Birth and Death: 1849–1935
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Profession: Painter
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Influences: Realism, Genre Painting, French Belle Époque
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Legacy: Known for his vivid depictions of Parisian life during the Belle Époque, Béraud’s paintings serve as a window into the city’s social and cultural history. His works are housed in major collections, including the Musée d'Orsay in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
