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| Image courtesy of Tatteredcover.com |
Twilight of the
Belle Epoque
By Mary McAuliffe
I
became interested in the Belle Epoque era (the glory years in France from 1870
to the First World War) after seeing the Woody Allen film ‘Midnight in Paris.’
In the movie, the main character is transported back in time to his favorite
era, the roaring 20’s of Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Dali, and others. Later in the
film, one of the other characters wishes to be transported even further back in
time to her favorite era, the Belle Epoque. If I had to choose between the two,
I believe I would take the Belle Epoque as well.
Twilight
of the Belle Epoque covers
the dawn of the 20th century to the chaos and destruction of WWI. In
the art world, this was the age of Picasso, Matisse, and Marc Chagall. In
music, there was Debussy, Ravel, Satie, Stravinski, and Lili Boulanger. In
dance there was Isadora Duncan, while on stage there was Sarah Bernhardt. In
science, Marie Curie was winning the Nobel Prize, while auto giants Renault,
Citroen, and Michelin were transforming the way we travel. The author reminds
us, however, that although this was indeed one of the golden ages for art and
discovery, there was also rampant poverty, struggles between church and state,
rising anti-Semitism, and growing nationalism that helped stoke the fires of
WWI.
This
book was such fun to read, and I learned so much in the process. One of the
most interesting sections was when Gertrude Stein arrived from America with her
family, and they had the forethought to start collecting art from then little
known Picasso and Matisse. It was also interesting how most of the artists and
musicians served during wartime, in battle or on the home front. One composer
came back with only one arm and began composing symphonies for the left hand
only. Still, others did not come home at all, or were too badly injured to carry
on in the arts. Like the movie, Midnight in Paris, I too felt
transported into another era. I only reluctantly return to my own. I have my
own paintings to do after all.
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