Does this quiet corner whisper of artistic camaraderie and tragic loss? This is Impasse Frédéric Bazille. It’s named for a man who, though wealthy, dedicated his life to art and supported his struggling friends. Let’s step into the story of Frédéric Bazille a painter of light a friend of the Impressionists and a life cut short.
Jean Frédéric Bazille was born in Montpellier in 1841 to a prominent Protestant family. His father was an agronome and senator. His mother inherited the agricultural estate of Saint-Sauveur. Bazille initially studied medicine to please his parents. However his passion for art could not be contained. He took drawing classes and copied old masters.
In 1862 Bazille moved to Paris. He enrolled in Charles Gleyre’s studio where he met Claude Monet and Auguste Renoir. A group of artists formed around them including Edgar Degas Alfred Sisley Édouard Manet Berthe Morisot Paul Cézanne Camille Pissarro Émile Zola and Paul Verlaine. Bazille quickly became an integral part of this budding Impressionist circle.
Bazille was known for his generosity. He often shared his studios with Renoir and Monet providing them with space and materials. In 1865 he even lived with Monet on Rue Furstemberg. He submitted two paintings to the Salon of 1866. One was a modern subject called “Jeune fille au piano”. The other was a classical still life “Poissons”. Only the still life was accepted foreshadowing the initial struggle of the Impressionists.
Bazille and his fellow artists faced rejection from the Salon of 1867. He along with others petitioned for an independent salon. He even planned to rent a large studio to exhibit their works. Gustave Courbet visited and admired Monet’s “Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe” and Bazille’s “Jeune Fille au piano”.
Bazille continued to paint capturing scenes of everyday life and portraits of his friends and family. He spent his summers in Montpellier at the family estate of Méric. This estate provided the backdrop for some of his famous works. These include “La Robe rose” “Réunion de famille” and “Vue de village”.
However Bazille’s life was tragically cut short. In 1870 he volunteered for the Franco-Prussian War against his family’s wishes. He joined the 3rd Zouave Regiment. He was killed in action at the Battle of Beaune-la-Rolande while protecting women and children. He was only 28 years old.
His friend Edmond Maître wrote “Of all the young men I have known Bazille was the most gifted the most likeable”. Bazille’s death deeply affected his friends and the art world. He was buried in the Protestant cemetery in Montpellier.
Bazille’s work which consists of about sixty paintings fell into obscurity after his death. It wasn’t until 1900 that critic Roger Marx rediscovered him. A full resurrection of interest came in the 1950s and 1960s. His paintings then began to leave the family collection for American museums.
The Musée Fabre in Montpellier has a rich collection of his works. The museum has organized several exhibitions dedicated to his art. Despite his short career Bazille left a lasting impact on the art world. He helped to shape the Impressionist movement. His paintings offer a glimpse into the life and times of a talented and generous artist.
So as we stand here on Impasse Frédéric Bazille remember the young painter. Remember his passion his generosity and his tragic end. He may have died young but his legacy lives on in his art and in the streets that bear his name.