A Night Class
1881
unspecified
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
About the artist
Artist
Jehan Georges Vibert
Jehan Georges Vibert (1840–1902) was a French artist, born in Paris.
See the richer artist page1881
unspecified
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Dominant colour
A Night Class is a 1881 unspecified by Jehan Georges Vibert, a Impressionism work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
You see a group of art students gathered around a model in historical costume. The students are eager to learn, but the artist suggests some may not have a future in art. This painting is interesting because it pokes fun at the traditional art scene. Look up the technique of chiaroscuro to learn more about how artists use light and dark to create depth in their work.
The artist himself described his painting of a night class: "Under smoldering electric lights, a model in historical costume poses for eager, ambitious art students. A few of them might have real talent, some could become commercial artists, but most, unfortunately, have no future in art at all." Although trained in a conservative academic style, Vibert here pokes fun at his own artistic tradition. Vibert was fond of caricaturing the pretentious elements of 19th-century French society. The work was shown at the 1881 Salon exhibition.
Read the full account in the museum source.
Jehan Georges Vibert (1840–1902) was a French artist, born in Paris.
See the richer artist page
