Artwork
Concordia
Concordia is an oil painting by the Realist artist Pierre Puvis de Chavannes. It dates from 1860 and is held in the collection of the Foundation E.G. Bührle Collection.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1860, *Concordia* is an oil painting by Pierre Puvis de Chavannes, a prominent French muralist of the early Third Republic. The work, now in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich, exemplifies the restrained realism that marked his public commissions and reflects his reputation as a leading figure in French academic art.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas depicts a tranquil gathering of figures set against a gently rolling landscape of trees and hills. Attired in a blend of classical drapery and contemporary clothing, the participants form a harmonious circle around a central figure, suggesting themes of unity and civic concord without overt narrative detail.
Technique & Style
Puvis de Chavannes employs a muted palette of greens, browns, and earth tones, allowing the composition’s calm atmosphere to emerge. Loose, expressive brushwork conveys a subtle sense of movement, while the overall treatment remains clear and measured, balancing emotional restraint with a hint of dynamism characteristic of his mural practice.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the painting entered the holdings of the Kunsthaus Zürich, where it has remained on view. Puvis de Chavannes later co‑founded the Société Nationale des Beaux‑Arts, influencing a generation of artists and medallists, among them Robert Genin, who drew inspiration from his compositional clarity.
Artist & collection
Artist
Pierre Puvis de Chavannes (French pronunciation: ; 14 December 1824 – 24 October 1898) was a French painter known for his mural painting, who came to be known as "the painter for France".
