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Victor Chocquet: Patron of Impressionism

An illuminating exploration of the discerning collector and dedicated advocate who championed artistic innovation during the Impressionist era.

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About Victor Chocquet

A Dedicated Connoisseur

Victor Chocquet (1821โ€“1891) was a French art collector and a fervent proponent of Impressionism. Despite holding a senior position at the Directorate-General of Customs and Indirect Taxes, Chocquet dedicated his resources and considerable energy to acquiring and championing the works of Impressionist painters. He was a constant presence at exhibitions, often defending artists against public derision and critical scorn.

Parisian Life and Art

Born into a prosperous family of silk millers in Lille, Chocquet moved to Paris and immersed himself in the city's vibrant art scene. His apartment on the Rue de Rivoli, overlooking the Tuileries Garden, served as a vantage point for Claude Monet, who painted several views from there, including Vue sur le jardin des Tuileries in 1876. Later in life, he resided in an 18th-century mansion on Rue Monsigny.

Impact and Dispersal

Chocquet's extensive collection, amassed through passionate dedication, was dispersed posthumously in 1899. His discerning eye and unwavering support were instrumental in the early recognition of artists like Paul Cรฉzanne. Many of the significant works he collected are now housed in prominent museums, particularly in the United States, attesting to his influential role in art history.

Life and Patronage

Early Passion for Art

From a young age, Victor Chocquet channeled his family's wealth into acquiring works of art. His interests spanned paintings by masters such as Eugรจne Delacroix, Gustave Courbet, and Honorรฉ Daumier, alongside porcelain and furniture. This early dedication laid the foundation for his later, more focused patronage of the burgeoning Impressionist movement.

Championing the Avant-Garde

Chocquet's commitment to Impressionism solidified when he attended the pivotal 1875 Impressionist sale at the Hรดtel Drouot. He was captivated by the works that were met with public hostility. He became an early and vocal supporter, attending exhibitions where he actively defended artists like Paul Cรฉzanne against widespread mockery and harsh criticism. This advocacy continued even as his personal financial resources dwindled after his early retirement in 1877.

At the March 24, 1875, sale of the "Sociรฉtรฉ anonyme des artistes," where painters' receipts barely covered expenses, Chocquet was among the first to offer significant support, alongside figures like Ernest Hoschedรฉ and Georges de Bellio. His enthusiasm for Cรฉzanne was particularly notable; he spent considerable effort defending Cรฉzanne's works, including a self-portrait, during the 1876 and 1877 exhibitions where he lent pieces from his own collection.

Normandy Retreat

Following his retirement in 1877, Chocquet's financial situation improved due to an inheritance from his mother-in-law. This allowed him to resume his art acquisitions. He purchased a property in Hattenville, Normandy, a region that became a significant site for Paul Cรฉzanne's artistic output. Several of Cรฉzanne's paintings, including Ferme ร  Hattenville, were created during this period, reflecting Chocquet's influence and patronage.

The Chocquet Collection

A Collector's Vision

Victor Chocquet amassed an impressive collection that rivaled those of other prominent collectors of the era, such as Georges de Bellio and Eugรจne Murer. His holdings included not only paintings but also porcelain and furniture, reflecting a broad appreciation for art. His discerning taste and deep engagement with the Impressionist movement made his collection a significant testament to the period's artistic evolution.

Cรฉzanne's Muse

Chocquet held a particular admiration for Paul Cรฉzanne, acquiring approximately 32 of his paintings. This significant number underscores his role as a crucial early patron of Cรฉzanne, whose innovative approach to form and perspective would profoundly influence later art movements. Chocquet's support provided Cรฉzanne with both financial stability and critical validation during a challenging phase of his career.

Chocquet was the subject of several portraits by his favored artists, most notably by Paul Cรฉzanne. These include:

  • Portrait de Victor Chocquet (1877), held by the Columbus Museum of Art.
  • Another portrait from 1875, part of a private collection in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Renoir also painted portraits of Chocquet and his family, including his wife and daughter Marie-Sophie.

Dispersal and Legacy

Following Chocquet's death in 1891, his vast collection was dispersed through auctions in 1899. This event marked a significant moment in the art market, bringing many Impressionist masterpieces to a wider audience. The enduring legacy of his collection is evident in the numerous works now held by major museums, particularly across the United States, solidifying his reputation as a pivotal figure in the appreciation and preservation of Impressionist art.

Artistic Connections

Relationships with Artists

Victor Chocquet cultivated deep relationships with many leading Impressionist artists. His patronage extended beyond mere acquisition; he actively engaged with them, offering encouragement and defending their work. His apartment became a space where artists like Monet found inspiration, and his presence at exhibitions was a crucial source of support against prevailing negative sentiments.

Key Artistic Circles

Chocquet was intimately connected with the core group of Impressionists. His support for Cรฉzanne was particularly profound, leading to numerous portraits and the creation of works inspired by Chocquet's Normandy estate. His interactions with Renoir and Monet further cemented his position within the Impressionist milieu, making him a central figure in the movement's early development and public reception.

Enduring Influence

A Champion's Role

Victor Chocquet's significance lies not only in the breadth of his collection but also in his role as an early and steadfast champion of Impressionism. In an era when these artists faced considerable opposition, Chocquet's personal conviction and public advocacy provided vital encouragement. His willingness to defend and promote avant-garde art helped pave the way for its eventual acceptance and critical acclaim.

Collection's Journey

The dispersal of Chocquet's collection after his death was a landmark event. It introduced many of his prized Impressionist works to new collectors and institutions, significantly contributing to the global dissemination and appreciation of the movement. The presence of these works in major museum collections today is a direct result of Chocquet's foresight and dedication as a collector.

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References

References

A full list of references for this article are available at the Victor Chocquet Wikipedia page

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Important Notice

This page has been generated by Artificial Intelligence for educational and informational purposes. The content is derived from publicly available data and aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Victor Chocquet's life and contributions to Impressionism.

This is not art historical advice. The information presented here should not substitute professional consultation with art historians, curators, or appraisers. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy based on the source material, the AI cannot guarantee the complete absence of errors or omissions, nor that the information is entirely up-to-date.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any interpretations or actions taken based on the information provided herein.