The Judgment of Paris

The Revolutionary Decade that Gave the World Impressionism

By: Ross King

Narrated by: Tristan Layton

Length: 14 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

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 amid 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. With a novelist's skill and the insight of a historian, Ross King reveals how Impressionism would reorder both history and culture as it resonated around the world.

A tale of many artists, The Judgment of Paris 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 most fascinating story of their parallel lives, illuminated by their legendary supporters and critics, King recalls a seminal period when Paris was the artistic center of the world, and a revolutionary art movement had the power to electrify and divide a nation.

©2006 Ross King (P)2006 Audio Renaissance, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishers, LLC

Critic reviews

"King is a master at linking pivotal moments in art history to epic rivalries....Supremely engaging and illuminating." (Booklist)

Watery Veil Back in Time

I loved this book. It had a fabric-like quality, held to history via wars but sewn through with careful accuracy. I especially enjoyed the family bits the showboat man. I also can't help but love a pun, the judgment of Paris. It's actually a three-way, four-way. First the critique of the Paris crowds for the Salon, second the actual Trojan beauty contest, thirdly the pestilence on the city, and fourthly, penciled in, our present-day decision to look.

The story I always wanted to read

Would you listen to The Judgment of Paris again? Why?

Yes.Very interesting period.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Judgment of Paris?

The siege of Paris during the Franco-Prussian War,the Commune its horrors and aftermath.

Which scene was your favorite?

I enjoyed every bit of the book.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes!

Any additional comments?

A good mix of cultural and political history.

Great book.....

But not for audio, unless you have a real grasp on the artists during this time.

Epic

I loved this book, having listened to it twice. Epic, rollicking, and witty telling of a great decade in the cultural capitol of the world. And, such a great narration. Tristan Layton's tone and rhythm is perfect for a work of non-fiction; he can pronounce the French for names etc. without lapsing into annoying, distracting, and ridiculous French-accented English for quotes. (Thinking of you Russell Martin and your ridiculous Spanish accents in an otherwise great "Picasso's War: The Destruction of Guernica and the Masterpiece that Changed the World")

Excellent

I loved it very much, great narrative and story. I highly recommend this to anyone.

The Judgment of a listener

I’ve always loved impressionism but was unaware of the cultural backdrop and the circumstances that shaped its emergence. Knowing more about this movement’s history can only increase your appreciation of the art. My only complaint is that this audio book should have been illustrated! Listening to it sent me time and again to the Internet to research artworks I was unfamiliar with and to look anew at works I’ve know for years. This book has earned the highest praise I can give an audio book – I’m buying the hard cover edition too!

Stunning dive into impressionism

The overview of this transitory period in art history was explored in enough depth that I didn't feel I was missing anything. The narration was calming and informative, not boring. The story had such a pleasant rise and the ending left me interested to discover more of the impressionist era.

Excellent source of information on the subject.

Excellent source of information on the subject. I like the well rounded information about all the info around their lives. There friend, influences, writers, political atmosphere etc.

A marvelous book

Is this book for you? Yes, if you are an artist or have an interest in European cultural history.

Ross King certainly made an entire era come alive for me. It was fascinating to learn about the emotions and politics behind so many great paintings. Above all else, the author showed me how culture shapes our understanding of beauty and artistic achievement.

Additionally, the reader of this book gave an animated and engaging performance.

Highly recommended.

A Must for Art History Enthusiasts

Interested in the era of the French Impressionists? Want to see how that singular group of artists fits in with the rest of the world around them? This is the book for you. Most art history books neglect or severely limit the social expectations and political situations when outlining their own histories. I tend to believe this is potentially the largest mistake any such book can make. This volume goes straight for it, giving the reader quite a bit of information on the reign of Napoleon III and the politics of the Salon, but the personalities of the artists at the center of this story still come shining through in a way that makes them human. As a result, the art they produce will mean more, which is the entire point of a book like this. The 3 M's - Meissonier, Manet, and Monet - are the ones the story most revolves around, being the biggest names of the era, but others are included to lesser extents. This is not a full biography of any of these artists. Rather, this is about putting them in the context of their time and place.

Unless the reader has a photographic memory and all-encompassing knowledge of the works of this time, it's recommended that references such as Google Images or Wiki be harnessed. This isn't necessary for every chapter, but when the individual works are discussed as part of the context of the story, it will help to know what those paintings look like. I find it also helps to be able to look up the artists and their models, just to put a face to the name.