Page 4 - Gallery 19c Volume 3_Les Types de Paris_digital_Neat

I N T R ODU C T I O N

The importance of France, and especially Paris, in the evolution of painting and sculpture in the 19th century
cannot be overstated. Paris was the center of both innovation and ongoing tradition, and its streets and
surrounding areas provided new and modern subjects for artists who chose to rebel against convention as
well as those who followed in the paths of the great earlier masters. In our third catalogue, titled Les Types
de Paris, Gallery 19C is pleased to present a selection of the “types” who provided the sources and inspiration
for so many of the French artists of the 19th century.

Being great fans of Jean François Raffaëlli, we initially envisioned an exhibition and catalogue devoted to his
1889 publication, Les Types de Paris. In the best of all worlds, our catalogue would include the exact “types”
featured in Raffaëlli’s book, and while we have been able to match a selection of our paintings with his
“types,” we also felt that it was important to broaden the definition and make a more inclusive selection.
We therefore decided to explore both Raffaëlli’s book as well as the idea of 19th century types in general.
As a result, we feel we now do have the best of both worlds.

Our third catalogue is also a celebration of the opening of our new gallery in Beverly Hills. We are looking
forward to all of the possibilities that our new gallery will afford in terms of ongoing exhibitions, lectures
and even a destination for collectors — both new and old — to come together for special gatherings. We are
also delighted to announce that Agnès Penot has joined us as our Gallery Director. Agnès has a PhD in Art
History from the Sorbonne, and her book, La Maison Goupil: Galerie d’art internationale au XIXè siècle has just been
published. For this catalogue, she has written a comprehensive essay, Painting and Verse: Les Types de Paris-
Parisians and their City as Seen through the Eyes of Jean François Raffaëlli and Contemporary Writers, which includes
a special focus on Stéphane Mallarmé’s poem, Types de la Rue. As in our first two catalogues, Emily Weeks
continues to excel in her vast knowledge of 19th Century Paintings and we are sure you will enjoy her essay,
City of Lights and Dark: Picturing “Types” in 19th century Urban and Suburban Paris.

Les Types de Paris is the first in a series of thematic shows we are planning for Gallery 19C. We never cease to
be amazed at the many possibilities that await us as we continue to explore the spectacular 19th century.

Eric Weider Polly Sartori

Fig. 1 Caption, Caption, oooo – o, Caption
2 Jean Béraud, After the Funeral 3