The painting at Castres

The painter Jean-Paul Laurens, created this painting, showing a symphonic orchestra inspired by a great and thoughtful Beethoven. This was painted between 1902, and is entitled "Hommage to Beethoven". It can be found in Castres theatre.   Jean-Paul Laurens is a forgotten painter. He was born at Fourquevaux (Haute-Garonne), near Toulouse, in 1838. His Southern origines are visible in all his works. In 1878, having been noticed for the quality of his work, he benefited from an individual exposition at the Exposition Universelle which was held in Paris. Jean-Paul Laurens died in his studio in Paris on March 23rd 1921.

Castres Theatre. Behind the window above the entrance…	...is the Anette Amalvy foyer. A painting by Jean-Paul Laurens dating from 1902...	...hangs in all its glory: Beethoven is thinking...
...…surrounded by many people.	The composer, eyes closed, in a position of inspired though...	…is sat on a chair which is on a pedestal bearing his name. A woman, at his feet, holds out laurels to the composer.
…but he is oblivious to all the attention he receives.	At the bottom of the painting a conductor, in front of his stand, leads an orchestra and choirs.	Above the conductor is the woman tending to Beethoven's laurels. Another is being swallowed up by death. Two more, towards the right, seem horrified at what they see.
On the left the brunette begs the composer, and on the right the blonde tends to his laurels. Beethoven's name can be made out, half hidden by a shadow.	To the left of the brunette a group of men and women, some injured, comfort one another. An archer can be seen outside the scene. Is there a war?	Probably. Above, a soldier comforts a woman who holds a child. Even higher is a scene picturing violence, and another of desolation.
Detail of the soldier and the mother of the child. Another woman waves a wreath in the direction of the composer, having invited him to take control, with his music, of peace and comfort in the hearts of men. The left hand side of the picture represents an incredible waterfall..	Above the composer stands a woman holding a dead man, whose head seems to be encircled by a halo. Behind, one can see praying saints and men of the cloth.	Finally, the right hand side shows people on horseback. One can see the back of someone who seems to wear a hat similar to those of the Napoleonic age. In the corner is a full moon...

Many thanks to Hannah SALTER for her translation of this page from French into English © Dominique PREVOT

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