NARRATOR—Puvis de Chavannes was the most successful and sought-after muralist of the 19th-century. He was also one of the few artists to elicit widespread support from both official, academic circles and from members of the avant-garde. His unique and highly effective decorative style is exemplified by these two paintings. They are preparatory studies for one of the artist's most important decorative projects: the murals in the staircase of the Museum of Picardie in Amiens. Together, the two canvases allegorize the fecundity of Picardie: one commemorates the agricultural wealth of the province in the form of the production of wheat and cider; the other celebrates the fertility of the region's major river--the Somme.

Notice the matte, almost chalky finish, which is meant to approximate the appearance of fresco. Stylistically, this is the most distinguishing feature of Puvis's work, seen not only in these two canvases, but in several others by the artist on display in this gallery. Conservative critics were highly appreciative of this nod towards traditional technique; they also approved of Puvis's high-
minded subject matter and the monumental serenity of his compositions. Avant-garde critics, on the other hand, were drawn to the symbolic potential of Puvis's subjects and his radically simplified style.