Rosa Bonheur (1822-99): 1849, Plowing in the Nivernais, 134×260, Orsay (iR6;iR8;iR3;M1) =S1849-204 (-> 1st class medal; commissioned and bought by the State); =London-EU-1862-129; =EU-C-1889-69.
Introduction: The Salons in the 1840s were held yearly at the Louvre, called the ‘Musée royal des arts’. In 1849 the Salon was held in the Palais des Tuilleries. February 1848 there had been a revolution (iR3). It ended the reigh of king Louis Philippe I, from the house of Orléans (iR3). The 2nd French Republic came to existence (iR3) and in December Louis Napoleon (iR3) was elected as first president (iR3). (see political developments)
Since 1798 there was a jury nominated by the government, that would judge the admissions of the artists. Since 1831 the jury was dominated by members of ‘L’Institut‘. But, in 1848, after the Februar revolution, there was no jury. That year Corot, Dupré and Rousseau were member of the organisational committee (R290,p49). In 1849 the jury was elected by the artists.
On this page you will find some exhibited art-works (in a chronological and alphabetical way) and an overview from year till year. There will be extra attention on works of the partakers of the later ‘impressionist’ expositions (1874-86). Namely Cals and Auguste Ottin already were active at the Salon. Between 1830 and 1848 1/3 of the exhibited works were landscapes (R290,p54+65). These titles of landscapes often render an indication of the location and more than once also of atmospheric conditions, like ‘un soir d’automne’, ‘effet de matin’ and ’temps gris’. This suggests a painting style with (Pre-)Impressionist tendencies.
Note: If you double click on the first (of a cluster of) pictures and then click on full screen, you can create a slideshow. On a smartphone or laptop you can also zoom in. Enjoy!
Exhibited art-works of the ‘impressionists’: Some partakers of the ‘impressionist’ expositions already showed art-works at the Salon in the 1840s, namely: Cals (1840 +41 +42 +43 +44 +45 +46 +47 +48), Debras (1843 +49), Auguste Ottin (1841 +42 +44 +45 +46 +47 +48) and Tillot (1846 +48 +49).
The art-works will be rendered by form, then alphabettically and then in chronological order of when exhibited.
Adolphe-Félix Cals, S1845-249, Tête de femme. Very uncertain: Cals, 18xx, femme de profil a la coiffe (woman in profile with headdress), d17, A2010/10/25 (iR11;iR1)
Adolphe-Félix Cals, S1845-250, Souterrain, effet de lampe. Uncertain: 18xx, Vieil homme à la chandelle, 18×18, A2012/05/27 (iR13;iR1)
Adolphe-Félix Cals, S1846-293, Sollicitude maternelle. Compare: 1860, Mère et enfant dans un intérieur, 38×46, xx (iR10;iR1)
Adolphe-Félix Cals, S1848-720 Nature morte. Maybe: 1847, Still life with a cucumber, pitcher, platter, glassware, xx, Minneapolis IA (iR6;iR1)
Adolphe-Félix Cals, S1848-721, Nature morte. Uncertain: Cals, 18xx, Nature morte aux agrumes (Still life with citrus fruits), 24×28, A2010/10/24 (iR13;iR1)
Adolphe-Félix Cals, S1848-722, Petite fille lisant. Uncertain: 18xx, petite file lisant à la chandelle, 30×29, A2017/06/15 (iR11;iR1)
Adolphe-Félix Cals, S1848-725, Vieillard lisant. Uncertain: 18xx, La Lecture à la chandelle, 21×21, MBA Dijon (iR23;iR1)
Auguste-Louis-Marie Ottin: 1846, An Indian hunter attacked by a Boa, bronze, xx, Fontainebleau Chateau (iR6;iR125;iR10;iR119;iR1) =!? S1846-? (1st class medal); S1857-3043 =!? S1857-3043, Chasseur indien surpris par un boa; groupe, bronze
Adolphe-Félix Cals, S1840-214, Paysan de l’Auvergne, tête d’étude. Very uncertain: 18xx, Detail of Head of an old man (portrait d’un vieillard), xx, xx (iR10;iR1)
Adolphe-Félix Cals, S1840-215, Tête d’enfant, tête d’étude. Very uncertain: 18xx, Portrait d’un jeune garçon, 46×38, A2014/06/08 (iR13;iR10;iR1)
Adolphe-Félix Cals, S1844-257, Tête de jeune fille. Uncertain: 18xx, Portrait d’une jeune fille, 14×14, A1999/06/05 (iR13;iR10;iR1)
Adolphe-Félix Cals, S1844-258, Tête de jeune fille, effet de lampe. Uncertain: 1843, Portrait de jeune fille, 39×31, A1999/10/27 (iR13;iR1)
Adolphe-Félix Cals, S1845-251, Portrait de Mme C… Compare: 18xx, Portrait présumé de Mme Cals, dr, 35×28, A2009/03/29 (iR13;iR10;iR1).
Adolphe-Félix Cals: 18??, La fileuse et son enfant, 37×26, A2015/11/22 (iR13;iR1) Expos: =?? S1846-291, Bonne femme filant; compare: 1IE-1874-41, Fileuse
Adolphe-Félix Cals, S1846-296, Petite fille épuchant des légumes. Compare: 1854, A Cook Plucking a Wild Duck, 46×38, BM Barnard Castle (iR2;iR10;iR1)
Adolphe-Félix Cals, S1846-299, étude d’homme. Compare: 18xx, unknown title (man of high standing; detail), dr, xx, xx (iR101;iR10;iR1)
Adolphe-Félix Cals, S1846-300, portrait de M. Yv… Maybe: 1846, Portrait d’homme, 93×73, A2010/12/14 (iR13;iR11;iR1)
Adolphe-Félix Cals: 18xx, Saint-François d’Assise, 185×140, A2010/12/19 (iR13;iR1;R152,p202) Expo: =? S1847-264, Saint François-d’Assise. Provenance: Armand Doria; Comte François Doria (1900).
Auguste-Louis-Marie Ottin: 18xx, Buste d’Ingres (JAD Ingres), bronze, 43x27x29, MNCh Versailles (iR357;M5;iR1;aR18=iR242;M195) =S1842-1996, Buste de M. Ingres; bronze.
Exhibited paintings of other artists: Here below you will find some art-works (mainly paintings) of some other artists that were exhibited at the Salon in the 1840s. You will find them by form, than in a alphabetical order and than chronologically of when exhibited. 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. The art-works will be rendered by form, first the paintings and secondly the other art-works, then in chronological order and then alphabettically. Note: additional info and pictures will follow.
Rosa Bonheur (1822-99): 1849, Plowing in the Nivernais, 134×260, Orsay (iR6;iR8;iR3;M1) =S1849-204 (-> 1st class medal; commissioned and bought by the State); =London-EU-1862-129; =EU-C-1889-69.
Bouguereau (1825-1905): 1848, Equality before death, 141×269, Orsay (iR6;M1) =S1849-201, Egalité devant la mort (debut)
Corot (1796-1875): 1840, CR375, A monk reading, 64×87, Louvre (iR6;iR23;iR1;R231-1;R119,no375;M5) =S1840-309; EU-1900-C-123, Un moine (à M. Moreau-Nélaton; S.1840)
Corot (1796-1875): 1845, CR464, Homer and the Shepherds, 80×130, MAH Saint-Lô (iR491;iR6;iR10;iR1;R231-1;R119,no464) S1845-364, Homère et les Bergers; paysage; EU-1900-C-116, Homère et les Bergers (Musée de Saint-Lô; S.1845)
Corot (1796-1875): 1846, CR502, Forest of Fontainebleau, 90×129, MFA Boston (iR2;iR1;R231;R61,no29;R119,no502;M22) =S1846-422, Vue prise dans la forêt de Fontainebleau (1846: Chevalier de Légion d’Honneur)
Corot (1796-1875): 1826, CR66, The Coliseum Seen from the Farnese Gardens, 30×49, Louvre (iR6;iR23;iR1;R60,89;R119,no66;M5) =S1849-442, Étude du Colysée à Rome
Delacroix (1798-1863): 1847, Femmes d’Alger dans leur intérieur, 85×112, MF Montpellier (iR6;iR10;M14;R231-1) Expos: S1849; EU-1900-C-218, Femmes d’Alger dans leur intérieur (Musée de Montpellier)
Gérôme (Jean-Léon; 1824-1904): 1846, Young Greeks holding a rooster fight, 143×204, Orsay (iR5;iR2;iR23;iR1;R11,p50;R322,no12-13;M1) = S1847-705, Jeunes Grecs faisant battre des coqs; received a 3rd class medal
Gleyre (Charles; 1806-74): 1843, Evening (Lost Illusions), 157×238, Louvre (iR357;iR173;iR2;iR23;iR1;R9,p336;M5) = S1843-512, Le soir; 2nd class medal
Gleyre (Charles; 1806-74): 1845, The Departure of the Apostles to Preach the Gospel, 197×294, MG Montargis (iR6;iR2;iR1) = S1845-729, Départ des apôtres allant prêcher l’Evangile
Corot (1796-1875): 1840-41ca, Le verger, xx, Musée de Semur en Auxois (iR10;iRx;iR6;iR1;R231-1+2) =S1841-398??; =EU-1900-C-117, Le Verger (Musée de Semur; S.1841)
Théodore Chassériau (1819-56): 1843, CR95, The Two Sisters (Mesdemoiselles Chassériau), 180×135, Louvre (iR6;iR10;R231-1+2;M5) Expos: S1843-217; EU-1900-C-97, Les deux soeurs (1843) (à M. Chassériau)
Diaz (1807-76): 1844ca, Bohemians going to a feast, 101×81, MFA Boston (iR6;iR1;M22) S1844-553, Bohémiens se rendant à une fête -> 3rd class medal (genre)
Diaz (1807-76): 1848, Vénus et Adonis, 46×38 MBA Caen (iR23;iR1) =S1848-1282 -> 1st class medal
Théodore Rousseau (1812-1867): 1846-49, SDbl, Une avenue, forêt de L’Isle-Adam, 101×82, Orsay (iR10;M1;iR6;iR23;R231-9;R337/1857) Expos: =S1849-1778, Un avenue (1st class medal); =EU-1855-3929, Une avenue, forêt de l’Isle-Adam (medaille de 1er classe).
The Salon from year to year:
1840:
The catalogue mentions 1235 partakers and 1849 numbers (iR1); note: relatively smaller numbers. It started the 5th of March.
Including the following partakers of the ‘impressionist’ expositions: Cals (3x).
1841:
The catalogue mentions 1514 partakers and 2280 numbers (iR1).
Including the following partakers of the ‘impressionist’ expositions: Cals (2x) Auguste Ottin (1sc). Rousseau had stopped submitting since he was refused the years before (R290,p53+180;R59).
1843:
The catalogue mentions 1162 partakers and 1600 numbers (iR1); note: relatively small numbers.
Including the following partakers of the ‘impressionist’ expositions: Cals (4x) and Debras (1x). Gleyre received a 2nd class medal.
1849:
The catalogue mentions 1425 partakers and 2590 numbers (iR1). This Salon was held in the Palais des Tuilleries and started the 15th of June.
Including the following partakers of the ‘impressionist’ expositions: Debras (1x) and Tillot (3x). Rousseau was accepted again and received a 1st class medal (R59,p103-112;iR1) Rosa Bonheur received a 1st class medal (iR3;M1*). Note*: the Salon database indicates that Bonheur received in 1848 a 1st class medal for landscape and animales) (iR1) and that in 1849 she was ‘exempté’ for concurring for a medal (iR1).
Sources: My main source is the Salon database (iR1), added with articles from WikiPedia (iR3).
See for other sources at the bottom of the main page on the Salon.
See link for info on the subscriptions of the images.
Recommanded citation: “Meta-Impressionism / other exhibitions: the Salon in the 1840s; info and pictures. Last modified 2025/12/09. https://www.impressionism.nl/salon-1840s/”
Note: additional info and pictures will be added.
Please be reluctant, when you quote from this webpage, which is under construction. The information is incomplete and maybe partly incorrect.