Stop for a moment to consider what was happening in this little studio. No less than seven of the world’s most celebrated painters gathered to work on their craft, but even more, to be part of this community of artists. They shared a common perspective on where they believed art was going, which Bazille summarized by saying, “The big classical compositions are finished; an ordinary view of daily life would be much more interesting.”8 These artists were testing new waters, trying new techniques, hoping to introduce something new into an area of culture known for resisting and even scoffing at
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