{"product_id":"les-grands-boulevards-cafe-americain-by-jean-beraud","title":"Les Grands Boulevards (Café Américain) by Jean Béraud","description":"Jean Béraud\u003cbr\u003e 1849-1935 | French \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eLes Grands Boulevards (Café Américain)\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed \"Jean Béraud\" (lower left)\u003cbr\u003e Oil on panel \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Jean Béraud’s \u003cem\u003eLes Grands Boulevards (Café Américain)\u003c\/em\u003e exquisitely captures the vibrant energy of Belle Époque Paris. The scene unfolds on a rain-soaked boulevard where elegantly dressed figures traverse glistening cobblestones, and a young woman, lifting her hem to avoid the damp pavement, draws the admiring gaze of a gentleman. At the heart of the composition stands the famed Café Américain, a gathering place for intellectuals and artists, framed by the ever-present colonne Morris adorned with lively advertisements. Béraud’s remarkable ability to blend meticulous detail with atmospheric brilliance elevates this work into a breathtaking portrayal of Parisian grandeur. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Béraud’s command of light and movement is unparalleled, evident in the soft glow of gas lamps reflecting off wet streets and the nuanced play of textures throughout the scene. The rich palette of autumnal hues contrasts with the delicate pastels of the sky, emphasizing the bustling yet intimate nature of the boulevard. The architectural precision of the Café Américain and the minute rendering of the Colonne Morris’s theatrical posters provide an exceptional glimpse into the cultural life of the period, making this painting a historical and aesthetic triumph. See a complete list of the advertisements below. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Jean Béraud was one of the foremost chroniclers of Parisian life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in Saint Petersburg to French parents, he moved to Paris and trained at the École des Beaux-Arts. His work uniquely bridges the academic precision of salon painting with the fleeting spontaneity of Impressionism. Through his masterful compositions, Béraud documented a rapidly changing Paris, preserving its social and artistic vibrancy for the modern age. Today, his works reside in major institutions, including the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Painted circa 1897 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 13 1\/2\" high x 20\" wide (34.29 x 50.80 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 21\" high x 27 1\/2\" wide x 2 1\/2\" deep (53.34 x 69.85 x 6.35 cm) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/rau-sfimages.s3.amazonaws.com\/dossier\/Dossier_32-0485.pdf\" target=\"new\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eView the Dossier\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Literature:\u003cbr\u003e This work will be included in the Supplement to the critical catalog of the work of Jean Béraud being prepared by Patrick Offesntadt and the Wildenstein Institute. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Margaret Thomspon Biddle\u003cbr\u003e Inheritors of Biddle’s Estate\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, London\u003cbr\u003e MSR, New Orleans  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Guide to the Advertisements on the Colonne Morris:\u003cbr\u003e Rothomagö – A Féerie Spectacle in the Théâtre du Châtelet. Féeries were elaborate productions featuring advanced stagecraft, fantastical plots and stunning visual effects.\u003cbr\u003e Manon – Opera by Jules Massenet in the Opéra-Comique. Manon became one of the most beloved operas of the Belle Époque, celebrated for its lush score and dramatic storytelling.\u003cbr\u003e Bob Walter – Serpentine Dancer and Performer in the Théâtre La Bodinière. Bob Walter captivated audiences with her serpentine dance, transforming her silhouette into various forms through flowing costumes and colored light projections.\u003cbr\u003e Paulus (Jean-Paul Habans) – Café-Concert Performer. In 1897, Paulus starred in films by George Méliès, where he sang behind a projected image, creating an early illusion of synchronized sound and cinema. His lively performances made him a staple of Parisian entertainment.","brand":"MSR","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50274971582754,"sku":"32-0485","price":495000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/banksyarts.com\/products\/les-grands-boulevards-cafe-americain-by-jean-beraud","provider":"The Louvre of America","version":"1.0","type":"link"}