Meta-Impressionism/ other exhibitions:

The Salon

1873

The Salon of 1873, short info:
The Salon of 1873 (the 90th) lasted from the 5th of May till the 25th of June and took place in the Palais des Champs-Elysées in Paris (iR4;iR3). The catalogue mentions 1786 partakers and 2178 numbers (iR1).
There were just 2 painters that received a 1st medal: Louis-Félix Guesnet↓ (1843-1907) and Luc-Olivier Merson↑ (1846-1920). Manet received positive reviews on his painting ‘Le Bon Bock’↓.
Several artists were rejected by the jury and showed their works at the Salon des Refusés of 1873. This included 29% of the partakers of the 1st ‘impressionist’ exposition of 1874.
On this page you will find short information on the Salon of 1873 and some of the pictures exhibited. First you will find art-works of the partakers of the ‘impressionist’ expositions. Then some pictures of some related artists. At last you will find some rejected pictures. At the bottom of this page you will find some background information.
Note: If you double click on the first (of a cluster of) pictures and then click on full screen, you can create a (small) slideshow. On a smartphone or laptop you can also zoom in. Enjoy!

Wolf von Bibra (1862–1922): Roland at the Battle of Roncevaux Pass in the Pyrenees in 778 (The song of Roland). Copy after Louis-Félix Guesnet (1843-1907): S1873-691, Roland à Roncevaux (1st medal) (iR6;iR10;iR139;R337/1873+1874)

Édouard Manet (1832-83): 1873, RW186, A Good Beer (Le bon bock; Emile Bellot at the café Guerbois), 95x83, Philadelphia MA (M28;iR10;iR6;iR2;iR1;aR1;R231=iR40; R71,no165;R213,no151;R120,no186) =S1873-999 -> success; 1873/11 bought by Faure for 6.000fr; =ENBA-1884-67; =EU-C-1889-489; — Édouard Manet (1832-83): 1873, RW186, A Good Beer (Le bon bock; Emile Bellot at the café Guerbois), 95×83, Philadelphia MA (M28;iR10;iR6;iR2;iR1;aR1;R231=iR40; R71,no165;R213,no151;R120,no186) =S1873-999 -> success; 1873/11 bought by Faure for 6.000fr; =ENBA-1884-67; =EU-C-1889-489;

Exhibited art-works by the ‘impressionist’:
11 of the 57 partakers of the ‘impressionist’ expositions showed about 14 art-works at the Salon of 1872. Including Boudin (2x); Brandon (1x); Cassatt (1x); Colin (2x); Debras (1x); Desboutin (1x); Lepic (1x); Lépine (1x); Morisot (1x); de Nittis (2x); Vidal (1dr). See also the accounts of these artists (in the left or bottom sub-menus).
The art-works will be rendered by form, first the paintings, then other art-works and then alphabettically.

Eugène Boudin: 1872, CR803, SDbr, Camaret harbour, 56x90, Orsay (R17,p281=no113;iR23;R122,no803;M1) Expos: =?? S1873-153, Port de Camaret (Finistère); =?? EU-1900-C-55, Le port de Camaret (à Mme. Georges Feydeau); =SdA1931-2219. — Eugène Boudin: 1872, CR803, SDbr, Camaret harbour, 56×90, Orsay (R17,p281=no113;iR23;R122,no803;M1) Expos: =?? S1873-153, Port de Camaret (Finistère); =?? EU-1900-C-55, Le port de Camaret (à Mme. Georges Feydeau); =SdA1931-2219.

Gustave Colin, 1895, Harvesting sweetcorn, 28x36, A2007/07/08 (iR12;iR10;iR46;iR1). Compare: S1873-324, La récolte du maïs à Urunaga (Basses-Pyrénées). — Gustave Colin, 1895, Harvesting sweetcorn, 28×36, A2007/07/08 (iR12;iR10;iR46;iR1). Compare: S1873-324, La récolte du maïs à Urunaga (Basses-Pyrénées).

Giuseppe de Nittis: 1872, DMM418, Vesuvius eruption of 1872, 76x128, A2014/12/09 (iR6;iR2;iR11;iR94;iR1;R264,p183/4;R277,no418) =?? S1873-1114, Les cratères du Vésuve avant l’éruption de 1872 — Giuseppe de Nittis: 1872, DMM418, Vesuvius eruption of 1872, 76×128, A2014/12/09 (iR6;iR2;iR11;iR94;iR1;R264,p183/4;R277,no418) =?? S1873-1114, Les cratères du Vésuve avant l’éruption de 1872

Giuseppe de Nittis: 1872ca, DMM366, Descending from the Vesuvius, 30x55, private (aR1;iR1;R264,p183-4;R277,no366) =S1873-1115, La descente du Vésuve — Giuseppe de Nittis: 1872ca, DMM366, Descending from the Vesuvius, 30×55, private (aR1;iR1;R264,p183-4;R277,no366) =S1873-1115, La descente du Vésuve

Jean-François Raffaëlli, S1873-1233, L’attaque sous bois =1873, Scène galante dans un bois, 72x93, MP Verdun (iR23;aR,p48;iR1) — Jean-François Raffaëlli, S1873-1233, L’attaque sous bois =1873, Scène galante dans un bois, 72×93, MP Verdun (iR23;aR,p48;iR1)

Edouard Brandon, S1866-254 + S1873-174, Le Sabbat. Maybe?: 18xx, Shema Yisrael, 27x22, A2014/06/25 (iR11;iR41;iR13;iR6;iR1;aR4). Compare: HD1897/12/13-13, Autre intérieur de la Synagogue à Rouen. — Edouard Brandon, S1866-254 + S1873-174, Le Sabbat. Maybe?: 18xx, Shema Yisrael, 27×22, A2014/06/25 (iR11;iR41;iR13;iR6;iR1;aR4). Compare: HD1897/12/13-13, Autre intérieur de la Synagogue à Rouen.

Mary Cassatt: 1872-73, CR22, Offering the Panal to the Bullfighter, 101x85, CAI Williamstown (iR3;iR92;iR1;R44,p44;R3,p591;R187,no22;M26) =S1873-1372, Mlle Mary Stevenson-Cassatt: Offrant le panal au torero. — Mary Cassatt: 1872-73, CR22, Offering the Panal to the Bullfighter, 101×85, CAI Williamstown (iR3;iR92;iR1;R44,p44;R3,p591;R187,no22;M26) =S1873-1372, Mlle Mary Stevenson-Cassatt: Offrant le panal au torero.

Stanislas Lépine: 1872-76ca, CR213, Montmartre, Rue Cortot, figures in the snow, 41x32, A2012/02/01 (iR2;iR15;iR1;R208,no213) = retrospective DR1892/11/28-61 =? S1873-943, Une rue de Montmartre; effet de neige) — Stanislas Lépine: 1872-76ca, CR213, Montmartre, Rue Cortot, figures in the snow, 41×32, A2012/02/01 (iR2;iR15;iR1;R208,no213) = retrospective DR1892/11/28-61 =? S1873-943, Une rue de Montmartre; effet de neige)

Berthe Morisot: 1872, Sbl, CR422, Blanche Pontillon as a baby (born 1871), pastel, 33x25, xx (iR157;iR10;iR169;iR6;iR1;iR40;R100,p51+no422;R88II,p452) Expos: =? S1873-1090, Blanche; pastel. Compare: HD1875/03/24-26, Blanche (pastel) (61x51) -> Thomas (255fr). — Berthe Morisot: 1872, Sbl, CR422, Blanche Pontillon as a baby (born 1871), pastel, 33×25, xx (iR157;iR10;iR169;iR6;iR1;iR40;R100,p51+no422;R88II,p452) Expos: =? S1873-1090, Blanche; pastel. Compare: HD1875/03/24-26, Blanche (pastel) (61×51) -> Thomas (255fr).

Exhibited art-works by other artists:
Here below you will find some art-works (mainly paintings) of some other artists that were exhibited at the Salon of 1873. You will find them by form and than in an alphabetical order. This will not give you an overall impression (that is outside the scope of this website). Namely works of pre-impressionist, para-impressionist and other related artitsts will be shown. Namely the following artists showed paintings: Chintreuil; Daubigny; Manet;
Note: additional info and pictures will follow.

Antoine Chintreuil (1814-73): 1873, L1260, Rain and sun, 105x216, Orsay (M1;iR6;iR127;iR1;aR2,V9,no1260) Expos: =S1873-294, Pluie et soleil; =EdBA-1874-228 — Antoine Chintreuil (1814-73): 1873, L1260, Rain and sun, 105×216, Orsay (M1;iR6;iR127;iR1;aR2,V9,no1260) Expos: =S1873-294, Pluie et soleil; =EdBA-1874-228

Antoine Chintreuil (1814-73): 1871-73, L1170, Sbl, Marée basse à Saint-Valéry sur Somme, 60x100, ? M. Chintreuil Pont-de-Vaux (aR2,V9,no1170;iR1) Expos: =? S1873-295, Marée basse (hors concours); EdBA-1874-227 — Antoine Chintreuil (1814-73): 1871-73, L1170, Sbl, Marée basse à Saint-Valéry sur Somme, 60×100, ? M. Chintreuil Pont-de-Vaux (aR2,V9,no1170;iR1) Expos: =? S1873-295, Marée basse (hors concours); EdBA-1874-227

Daubigny (1817-78): 1873, The Beach at Villerville at Sunset, 77x141, CMA Norfolk (iR2;iR8;iR1;M169) =!? S1873-414, Plage de Villerville-sur-Mer (Calvados); soleil couchant — Daubigny (1817-78): 1873, The Beach at Villerville at Sunset, 77×141, CMA Norfolk (iR2;iR8;iR1;M169) =!? S1873-414, Plage de Villerville-sur-Mer (Calvados); soleil couchant

Daubigny (1817-78): 1873, SDbr, La Neige, 101x202, Orsay (iR10;iRx;M1;R231-1+2) Expos: S1873-415; EU-1878-228; EU-1900-C-162, L'Hiver (à Gillibert; S.1873). — Daubigny (1817-78): 1873, SDbr, La Neige, 101×202, Orsay (iR10;iRx;M1;R231-1+2) Expos: S1873-415; EU-1878-228; EU-1900-C-162, L’Hiver (à Gillibert; S.1873).

Bouguereau (1825-1905): 1872, Little thieves, 201x109, private (iR4;iR1) =S1873-157, Petites Maraudeuses — Bouguereau (1825-1905): 1872, Little thieves, 201×109, private (iR4;iR1) =S1873-157, Petites Maraudeuses

Édouard Manet (1832-83): 1869-70, Portrait of Berthe Morisot (detail), 148x111, Providence MA ISD (iR10;iR2;iR1;aR1;R262,no125;R71,no131;R213,no106;R120,no158;M152) 1872: bought by Durenad-Ruel; =S1873-998, Le repos; =ENBA-1884-57; =former Duret collection — Édouard Manet (1832-83): 1869-70, RW158, Portrait of Berthe Morisot (detail), 148×111, Providence MA ISD (iR10;iR2;iR1;aR1;R262,no125;R71,no131;R213,no106;R120,no158;M152) 1872: bought by Durenad-Ruel; =S1873-998, Le repos; =ENBA-1884-57; =former Duret collection

Rejected art-works:
Several artists were rejected by the jury and showed their works at the Salon des Refusés of 1873. This included 29% of the partakers of the 1st ‘impressionist’ exposition of 1874. See the page on the Salon des Refusés of 1873. Others were rejected, but didn’t show their art-works at the Salon des Refusés, like probably Caillebotte. See also the accounts of these artists (in the left or bottom sub-menus).

Gustave Caillebotte: 1873, 1CR7+2CR8, SDbr, Nude lying on a couch, pastel, 87x113, Metropolitan (iR3;R102,no8;R101,no7;M23) =!? S1873-R — Gustave Caillebotte: 1873, 1CR7+2CR8, SDbr, Nude lying on a couch, pastel, 87×113, Metropolitan (iR3;R102,no8;R101,no7;M23) =!? S1873-R

Background information:
Deviant from the years before there were 4 sections: 1. Architecture; 2. Painting, drawings, watercolours, pastels, enamels, miniatures, drawings of stained glass (windows), (porcelain, earthenware); 3. Sculpture and engravings on medals and gemstones; 4. Engravings and lithographs.
Per sections artists could send in 2 art-works.
In an appendix the paintings and sculptures executed since 1872 in public monuments were noted.

The jury:
The minister of Instruction publique, des Cultes et des Beaux-Arts was Jules Simon. Léon Morand was an accounting officer for the National Museums. M. Buon was inspector of Fine Arts. Overall president of the juries was Charles Blanc (director of Fine Arts and member of L’Institut). 1873/03/30 the admission and award jury was elected for the 4 sections. Those who could vote were artists that had received a medal before or a Prix de Rome; this year a total of 149. The jury for the painting section (no.2) consisted (according to the regulations) of 15 members + 4 added by the administration.
In the painting section (no.2) the following 15 painters were elected (in order of the most votes): Baudry** (137), Cabanel* (130), Fromentin (126; vice-president), Robert-Fleury* (117; president), Bonnat** (117), Delaunay** (111), G. Boulanger** (106), Dubufe (98), Jalabert (97), Cabat* (92), J. Breton*** (90), P. Rousseau (81), Brion* (67), Busson (66), Vollon** (55). The next most votes were given to Comte* (50), Bernier* (47), Pils* (42), Isabey (33), Henner*** (33), Moreau** (30), Luminais (28), Hanoteau (23). The 4 members added by the Administration were L. Viardot; Larrieu (member of L’Assemblée nationale); Cottier (secretary); Robert (director of the ‘manufacture de Sèvres’).
Note*: these painters did withdraw.
Note*: these painters were added to the jury.
Note*: these artists were at that time member of L’Institut; see Academic painters.
Note**: later member of L’Institut; see Academic painters.

The awards:
The awards were distributed 1873/11/03.
A work of outstanding quality could be awarded with a Grande Médaille d’Honneur*, chosen by a special jury. This was not done this year.
According to the regulations the maximum of the 1st medal was 8 for the painting section (no.2) and 16 of the 2nd medal. The 1st medal couldn’t be obtained by those artists who earlier had received such a medal or those who had received 3 times a medal in the years 1865-1870*.
Note*: In the years 1865-1870 there were each year 40 medals distributed worth 400fr. In the years 1857-1864 there were 1st, 2nd and 3rd class medals.

The actually rendered awards were not in line with the regulations. There were just 2 1st medals were awarded, namely to Louis-Félix Guesnet and Luc-Olivier Merson*. There were just 10 2nd class medals awarded, including to Fernand Cormon*. And additionally there were 18 3rd medals awarded.
Louis-Félix Guesnet (1843-1907) (iR4; iR6; M1; iR17):
S1873-691, Roland à Roncevaux (see etch after painting iR6 +see; see painted copy by Bibra↑ iR6;
Luc-Olivier Merson (1846-1920):
S1873-1045, Vision, légende du XIVe siècle (1st medal)↑. See drawing after the painting published 1874/03/28 in Le Monde illustré, referring to the award, see.

The worth of the Grande Médaille d’Honneur, nor the other medals are noted.
Note*: (future) members of L’Institut, see Academic painters.

Légion d’Honneur:
There were 7 artists appointed as Chevalier in the Légion d’Honneur, including Édouard Detaille, Jean-Jacques Henner, Tony Robert-Fleury and the Dutch / English painter Laurent Alma-Tadema.

Sources:
Namely the Explication des Oeuvres of 1873 and 1874 (for the awards) (=R337).
See at the bottom of the main page on the Salon.
See link for the subscriptions of the paintings.

Recommanded citation: “Meta-Impressionism / other exhibitions: Salon of 1873; info and pictures. Last modified 2025/12/03. https://www.impressionism.nl/1873-salon/”

Note: additional info and pictures will be added.