Morning Glory 1879

Jules Joseph Lefebvre painted this artwork titled 'Morning Glory' in France. The image embodies the academic tradition which Lefebvre taught at the Académie Julian in Paris. It also catered to the tastes of the French Third Republic. We see an idealized young woman, partially nude, adorned with morning glory flowers. These details reference classical mythology. While the sensuality and romanticism seem self-consciously progressive, the painting’s style adheres to academic norms, reinforcing the status quo. The popularity of the image underscores the way institutions can shape artistic production and reception. Lefebvre's position at the Académie Julian, for example, directly influenced the training of a generation of artists, including many women who were excluded from other institutions. Understanding the social conditions that shaped artistic production requires that art historians consider the power of art to challenge existing social norms as well as the politics of imagery. To do this, we analyze historical exhibition records, art criticism, and artists' biographies, all of which show how art becomes intertwined with the social and institutional contexts of its time.