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Age of absolutism
Royal ceremonies limited to the privileged -
Pierre Patel, View of the palace and gardens of Versailles, seen from the avenue de Paris, 1668, Oil on canvas
Pierre Patel (1604-76) was a french painter, famous for landscape painting. The painting illustrates the Castle of Versailles and its gardens at the time of Louis XIV. It was ordered by the sun king himself, who wanted to depict his wealth, power, & godlike character, as he seems to control nature. The gardens, lighting and depth show the centralized & organized rule around his personality. It reflects his preferences and ideas as he ordered it and not an objective view of his rule and society. -
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Enlightenment
Share of ideas and development of social interactions as a pastime -
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Industrial revolution
Rising class coupled with rising free time and leisure opportunities -
Michel Barthélemy Ollivier, Le Thé à l’anglaise servi dans le salon des Quatre-Glaces au palais du Temple à Paris en 1764, published in 1766, oil on canvas
In this painting Michel Ollivier, a french historical painter and engraver, depicts a typical salon organized by prince of Conti. It illustrates the wealth of the people by looking into the room, clothing, food... The nobles are socializing, listening to music, & reading. Mozart is in the picture and he helped share the optimism and ideas of the enlightenment. Conti's salon is famous for criticizing Versailles. These salons were a medium to access and share art and ideas that criticize the rule. -
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Revolutionnary Europe
Social gatherings for revolution -
Period: to
Belle-Époque
Rising classing with rising consumption -
Émile Zola (1840-1902), Extract from Au Bonheur des Dames, 1833, naturalist novel
Émile Zola was a french novelist & journalist. The novel was published during the 3rd French republic (1883). He shows how consumerism is organized like an industry & is becoming a spectacle. Zola enumerates the improvement with more choice, materials, qualities, advertising. Women & middle class have increased opportunities & desire for fashion, comfort, decoration… Department stores as depicted in the novel reflect the eagerness of mass society to consume & enjoy increasing wealth & free time. -
William Heysham Overend (1851-1898), The Football Match, 1890, oil on canvas
William Overend was a British marine artist & book illustrator. The painting depicts a casual football game between non-professional players. We can see that they don’t come from upper classes as we regard their facial appearance, clothing, & chaotic actions. The different jerseys depict the belonging to a specific social group. It is a new pastime activity that will become increasingly popular & enjoyed, and will evolve. The players seem passionate, illustrating the relief sport provides. -
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WWI
Unifying leisure but an overall slowdown of leisure -
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WWII
Total and violent war leaving no room for free time activities