Frédéric Bazille and the birth of impressionism (1841-1870)

A collection of essays, paintings, and personal correspondence celebrates the life and legacy of Frédéric Bazille, an instrumental but largely unsung impressionist talent.

Frédéric Bazille (1841-1870) devoted just eight of his twenty-nine years to painting before he died fighting in the Franco-Prussian War, far from his hometown of Montpellier, France. Due to this untimely death, he was regrettably absent when the impressionist movement began to flourish, and unlike his friends and fellow artists, Monet or Renoir, would remain largely unknown. One hundred and fifty years later, his decisive role in the advent of impressionism has finally been brought to light. This comprehensive monograph gives Bazille his rightful place in the history of the iconic movement instigated by this pioneering group of young artists who revolutionized the world of painting.