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The Judgment of Paris: The Revolutionary Decade That Gave the World Impressionism Audiobook
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(3.01) - 2,913 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
While the Civil War raged in America, another very different revolution was beginning to take shape across the Atlantic, in the studios of Paris: The artists who would make Impressionism the most popular art form in history were showing their first paintings amidst scorn and derision from the French artistic establishment. Indeed, no artistic movement has ever been, at its inception, quite so controversial. The drama of its birth, played out on canvas, would at times resemble a battlefield; and, as Ross King reveals, Impressionism would reorder both history and culture as it resonated around the world. The Judgment of Paris chronicles the dramatic decade between two famous exhibitions—the scandalous Salon des Refuses in 1863 and the first Impressionist showing in 1874—set against the rise and dramatic fall of Napoleon III and the Second Empire after the Franco-Prussian War. A tale of many artists, it revolves around the lives of two, described as "the two poles of art"—Ernest Meissonier, the most famous and successful painter of the 19th century, hailed for his precision and devotion to history; and Edouard Manet, reviled in his time, who nonetheless heralded the most radical change in the history of art since the Renaissance. Out of the fascinating story of their parallel lives, illuminated by their legendary supporters and critics—Zola, Delacroix, Courbet, Baudelaire, Whistler, Monet, Hugo, Degas, and many more—Ross King shows that their contest was not just about Art, it was about competing visions of a rapidly changing world. With a novelist's skill and the insight of an historian, King recalls a seminal period when Paris was the artistic center of the world, and a revolutionary movement had the power to electrify and divide a nation.
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"The Judgement of Paris gives a detailed and thoroughly entertaining historical account of the genesis of the Impressionist Movement in France during the 19th century. This isn't a book only for artists, but rather a well told history of Paris through the eyes of a struggling art movement. The book was so enthralling I found myself looking up the work of these artists on my iPad while the narrator spoke, heightening the experience. For anyone who loves Impressionism, has been, or is planning to visit Paris, this is a must read. For anyone else, it is a cracking good story and I guarantee one will want to visit Paris or see the incredible works discussed or both. I checked this book out from the library initially, but had to purchase the title so I can listen to it over and again, its that good."
— Guy (5 out of 5 stars)
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A fluid, engaging account of how the conflicting careers of two French painters-the popular establishment favorite Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier and the oft-reviled newcomer Édouard Manet-reveal the slow emergence of Impressionism and its new view of painting and the world.... Of great interest is the savage reception (including laughter and disgust and disdain-even from friends) that Manet endured year after year at the Salons. (He fought a feckless duel with one critic.) A weaker man might have considered another career. King illustrates that the clash of ideas is even more exciting than the clang of swords.
— Kirkus starred review
Awards
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Among shortlisted titles for Audie Award Finalist, 2007
The Judgment of Paris Listener Reviews
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" One of the best art books I have read in a long time. Manet I know; Messonier I barely remember from art history classes. One was poor most of his life; the other had everything. Big lesson to learn from here. COmpelling writing style as well. "
— David, 2/19/2014 -
" I have just finished reading The Judgement of Paris by Ross King. This is the second book i have read from this author and like the first one, "Michelangelo And The Pope's Ceiling", it is an equally enjoyable read. His depth into the social history of Paris during time of Manet and the Impressionist era, and of course art history is through and a very enjoyable read. "
— Ishtim, 2/13/2014 -
" French history parades acros the pages of this book, yet it remains an enchanting and smooth read. --Madalene Cuglietta "
— Staff, 1/31/2014 -
" I have a newfound respect for impressionism. This book was given to me by a dear friend. "
— Charles, 1/16/2014 -
" Not for the light reader. It's heavy, tremendously detailed - but WOW. The Parisians ate all of the animals in the Paris zoo because they were starving. Even the elephants. This was in the 1870's.... This is not what the book is about - but it's one of those details thats tickes with you. It's a rich, educational experience of the historical and artistic events that lead to the impressionistic movement in art. Fascinating. Thos e that will enjoy it know exactly who you are. "
— Cdoming3, 1/6/2014 -
" This book is extremely informative in its accounts of the beginning of the Impressionist era. The research has clearly been thoroughly done and yet it still reads somewhat like a novel. I did, however, find it a bit boring in some places and have yet to completely finish it... "
— Laura, 12/11/2013 -
" a fantastic work. i thoroughly enjoyed it. i've never been a fan of impressionist paintings, but the drama that surrounded their beginning is fascinating. "
— Marco, 12/11/2013 -
" Excellent! Beginnings of the Impressionists. "
— Carol, 9/21/2013 -
" another gem from the compare / contrast history genre (Devil In The White City) except it is about art. "
— David, 8/29/2013 -
" If you are an artist or a lover of art this book is a great read. It situates the reader at the vanguard of the impressionist movement and is full of surprising twists and turns. "
— Lili, 8/21/2013 -
" I liked how the author used Manet and Meissonier as the two poles for this story. Alas, I never emotionally engaged with either. I liked the descriptions of the times, the various levels of change and how art reflected it. "
— Audrey, 4/21/2013 -
" everything and more you wanted to know about the SALONS and the ART WORLD of 1860 Paris and beyond. "
— Marti, 2/24/2013 -
" Dry but full of info. "
— Jenny, 2/20/2013 -
" I would reread this book just for the love of the way Ross King writes. A great book. "
— Michael, 2/3/2013 -
" I read this before going to Paris. I learned a lot about the Paris Commune and post-Revolutionary France as well as about the rise of Impressionism. A really good history "
— Jane, 9/3/2012 -
" A great historical text of life in Paris and it's artist community in the 1860's and 70's. A very dynamic time and a sophisticated culture is presented that was also plagued by war and civil unrest. Some tie-ins to the "The Count of Monte Cristo" which took place in an overlapping time frame. "
— Joseph, 6/9/2012 -
" Reading was textbook style yet interesting. The events in Paris and France in mid nineteenth century from artists' perspective. I had no idea that Monet, Renoir, and more were ridiculed for their painting style. "
— Gail, 6/8/2012 -
" I'm an art nerd. What can I say "
— Mercy, 3/12/2012 -
" Any thing by King is the best researched. "
— Gouker2, 1/8/2012 -
" I read this as research for my novel, My Phantom: The Memoir of Christine Daaé. The artistic ferment of 19th century Paris is clearly explained by this excellent study of two painters "
— Elizabeth, 5/5/2011 -
" This was one of the best books that I've read in years. It taught me about an important and crucial epoch in art history while learning about the 1860s-70s in Paris and France in general. "
— Liam, 4/10/2011 -
" fabulous audiobook. Excellent reader. wonderful non-fiction "
— Will, 12/21/2010 -
" HArder to get through than the others have been. "
— micha, 12/5/2010 -
" Read this book after seeing the Impressionist exhibits at the DeYoung and the Legion of Honor. Great rendering of the struggle between the reigning, government and establishment-accepted artists and the new "impressionist" artists in the 1860's through 1880's. "
— Sheila, 9/13/2010 -
" History that reads like a novel. Formidable ! "
— John, 8/21/2010 -
" Essentially a dual biography about Edouard Manet and his predecessor, Ernest Meissonier. "
— Chris, 7/4/2010 -
" French history parades acros the pages of this book, yet it remains an enchanting and smooth read. --Madalene Cuglietta "
— Staff, 6/17/2010
About Ross King
Ross King is the highly praised author of Brunelleschi’s Dome (the Book Sense Nonfiction Book of the Year in 2000), Michelangelo and the Pope’s Ceiling (on the New York Times extended bestseller list), The Judgment of Paris, Machiavelli, and two novels, Ex Libris and Domino. He lives outside Oxford in England.
About Tristan Layton
Tristan Layton has performed in plays in London and New York and has served as a television host. He’s done voice work for documentaries as well as for television and radio commercials. His audiobook credits include reading Ross King’s The Judgment of Paris, Sebastian Faulks’ Devil May Care, and David Nicholls’ The Understudy. Known as “The Master of Accents,” Tristan currently lives in New York.