A Welcome from the Moderator

[Jessica]

Hello everyone,

I'm Jessica, an editor here at B&N.com. I'll be your moderator for this discussion of Ross King's The Judgment of Paris (and you may also know me on these boards as Book Club Editor).

I can't wait to start talking about this book. Like many people, I opened this book confident that I knew the basics French Impressionism (Manet, Monet, the Salon, Renoir) as well as the general political climate in France at the time (the coup by Napoleon III, the later Prussian victory over France).

But King's book more than fills in the gaps on how it all began. He has laid out the details of these crucial years in such a fascinating story -- it's the ultimate behind-the-scenes look at how Impressionism (the art form we think all know) was born.

In reading this book, I found myself online quite often, looking up the paintings being described -- especially the ones that caused a lot of controversy! I found both the Arts section at Humanities Web (click on the painter's name, then "Selected Works" in the box to the left) and Web Museum to be useful resources for these images.

We're lucky to have such an expert on hand for this discussion! Let's all welcome Ross King to the group, and be sure to ask as many questions as you like -- either in the Questions for the Author thread, or in the discussion topics posted to the board.

In the meantime, reply to this message to share your first impressions of the book, or check out the discussion topics and jump right in.

Thanks! Jessica

[Mariposa]

I have a question: How long is this discussion going to be active? I have not started the book yet. Actually I have not purchased it yet. And how long is the author going to be actively involved? Thank you.

Lizabeth

[Jessica]

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dianearbus wrote:
I have a question: How long is this discussion going to be active? I have not started the book yet. Actually I have not purchased it yet. And how long is the author going to be actively involved? Thank you.

Lizabeth

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Hi Lizabeth,

Ross King will be with us until April 27. I hope you enjoy the book and join the discussion -- as you can see, some discussion topics are applicable to the early chapters of the book, so even though you may have just started reading, you can still jump into the conversation!

I just finished The Judgment of Paris, and can promise that you'll never think of these painters the same way after you read this book!

Talk to you soon!

Jessica
Book Club Editor

[Mariposa]

I just got the book today and have already read up to page 22. It is wonderful.

[ross_king]

Hi Lizabeth

Glad to see you've made the acquaintance of Messrs Meissonier and Manet. The story of Meissonier and Napoleon's thighs (which you quote in another thread) is one of my favorite stories about Meissonier. I think it's fair to say he had the world's first "Napoleon complex." But in fairness to him, he was so renowned that he can be forgiven his exaggerated sense of his own grandeur.

I hope you enjoy the rest of the book.

Best wishes
Ross