L'Anniversaire (1877)

The creation of L’Anniversaire was a turning point in Henri Fantin-Latour’s (1836-1904) carer as it explored imaginative, literary, and symbolic subjects. Here he has mixed the tradition of 19th century painting with a modern allegory of fiction to create a contemporary homage to French composer and conductor Hector Berlioz. Fantin-Latour’s grand composition adds a romantic notion to the commemoration of the historical figure. The painting features a tomb which anchors the composition as a site of remembrance. Clio, the Muse of History, appears holding a scroll of Berlioz’s works and points towards the tomb. Fantin-Latour has included figures from compositions such as Romeo and Juliet and Dido, alongside a self-portrait of the artist himself as he acts as a modern witness. The painting combines real elements of historical figures with allegorical images of muses and music, and fictional opera characters. Artwork of this genre was called allegorie reelle, a hybrid between reality and imagination. The muted and harmonious colour palette includes accents of colour to highlight the key figures, creating a soft and atmospheric composition which has been carefully structured. Fantin-Latour has immortalised Berlioz in this frieze-like procession and depicted his tomb as a site of eternal fame where people should honour and remember him. He personified music and encourages a visionary celebration instead of mourning; he shows how art can visualise how music survives its creator.