Orientalism

Ernest Chesneau

Identity:

Ernest Chesneau was a writer, critic and administrator.

Life:

Chesneau began his literary career in the late 1850s, writing poetry and articles on the arts for several Parisian journals. In 1862 he was appointed arts reviewer for L’Opinion nationale and in 1863 he began writing weekly articles on art for Le Constitutionnel.

He also made regular contributions to L’Artiste and Revue des deux mondes.

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From July 1869 until September 1870 he held the post of Inspecteur des Beaux-Arts, a position acquired through his friendship with Comte de Nieuwerkerke.

Chesneau, who was a friend and admirer of John Ruskin, was deeply concerned with the relationship between art and society. He believed that modern art should seek to truthfully depict contemporary life, and in this way admired the work of Gustave Courbet.

However, he objected to Courbet's technique, holding that the artist should paint works of a noble character, displaying technical virtuosity.