С.-J. Vernet was a leading figure of the French school of marine painting in the 18th century

Abstract

The article focuses on the work of C.-J. Vernet, a master of the landscape genre, which was considered secondary in the 18th century. Despite this, Vernet proved to be a highly influential figure within the Parisian art scene, as evidenced by his popularity among patrons and the large volume of artwork he produced. The aim of this article is to understand the origins and foundations of Vernet’s popularity and the significance of his work for his contemporaries. While many questions related to Vernet’s personality and art have been explored in French-language art historical literature, this particular approach has been absent from scholarly historiography until now, making this study novel. It is important to examine the original interaction between the artistic and social spheres as manifested in the career-oriented activity of the painter. Therefore, the article’s objectives include investigating the innovations Vernet introduced to the landscape genre, his work on the unique commission for the series “Ports of France,” Vernet’s role in the formation of landscape theory, the importance of science in shaping his creative concept, the artist’s participation in official and private Parisian exhibitions, and the reception of his work by critics and theorists. By studying these aspects, the image of Vernet gains stability and tangibility, becoming integrated into the artistic and social life of his time. This creates a clearer picture of how the artist was perceived by his contemporaries, which served as a catalyst for their lasting interest. The article draws on several of Vernet’s works, through which the key principles of his creativity can be traced. Studying Vernet’s theoretical works and their reflection in the writings of contemporaries like Diderot and Cochin demonstrates his role in shaping landscape theory. The artist successfully synthesized landscape with elements of the historical genre, creating dramatic and emotionally rich works, which allowed contemporaries to perceive him as a “historical painter in real-time mode.” The innovative nature of Vernet’s work, combined with social success, made him the most influential landscape painter in the Parisian art world of the 18th century.