A selection of masterpieces which were rejected by the person(s) who commissioned them, or from major exhibitions. Illustrated contents with links.
Courbet
An unusual but apparently addictive theme for still life paintings: fish, from Chardin’s ray to the performative art of William Merritt Chase.
The jury for the French Pavilion at the Exposition Universelle in 1855 rejected three of Courbet’s paintings, including one of the canonical paintings of the century.
Chillon Castle, Lake Geneva, Éragny Manor, a mansion in New York City, Kelmscott Manor (home of William Morris), Florence Griswold’s home in Old Lyme, CT, and more.
What could a jury possibly find bad or objectionable about Whistler’s finest painting? And after that mistake, how could a second jury get it so wrong too?
Unusual self-portraits by Sofonisba Anguissola, Rembrandt, Artemisia Gentileschi, Courbet, Gérôme and others.
A new series in which painters pit their work against juries of Salons and exhibitions, who then reject paintings which history judges quite differently.
These became popular during the 18th century, revealing models and those painting them, assistants, and many others. They also became complex allegories.
The exquisite and lucrative floral still lifes of Fantin-Latour, and those painted by artists on the periphery of Impressionism. Plus a surprise from Monet.
The deathbed, hospital beds through the ages, and what we apparently get up to when we take a friend to bed.
