Artist's workshop in Kondamin street 1870
98x128cm canvas / oil
Palais. Musée d'Orsay
Although the names of Manet, Renoir, Monet and Basil are now widely known, at the time the picture was created, the situation was different, it was just beginning. Behind was in 1866, when the work of these artists in the Salon audience and critics were subjected to mockery and causticism.
The picture is written on the threshold of the Franco-Prussian War, which dramatically changed the habitual life of painters. Auguste Renoir was enlisted in the cuirassiers and sent to Bordeaux. Edgar Degas, who claimed to be sent to the artillery. Claude Monet, already served in Algeria for two years, left for Le Havre with his family, Paul Cézanne went to Marseilles.
Basil until August 10 worked at the estate of parents in Montpellier. As John Revalde writes, "he finally achieved that unity with nature that characterized Pissarro, the ease and ease that was characteristic of Renoir, and the confidence in his own abilities, which was Monet's main strength" (The History of Impressionism, 1946). In 1870 the works appear on the Salon. Basil writes in the letters: "I'm delighted with my exposure. My picture is perfectly placed, everyone sees it, and everyone talks about it. True, more say bad than good, but in any case, I became the object of attention, and from now on, whatever I put up, I will not remain unnoticed. "
On August 10, Frederic Bazil enlisted in the regiment of the Zouaves. And on November 28 he was killed near Bon-la-Roland, having not lived a few days to twenty-nine years.
On the staircase is depicted Emile Zola conversing with Auguste Renoir. At easel Manet, Basil himself and Monet. It is interesting that after Basil finished portraits of his friends, Manet himself took the brushes in his hands and gave a portrait resemblance to the figure of Basil. For the piano - Edmond Meter, a friend of Basil, a musician.