Anti-clerical art

’A Fine Point’ by Jehan Georges Vibert. Note the direction of the cardinal’s gaze and the sculpture to the young monk’s right.

Anti-clerical art is a genre of art portraying clergy, especially Roman Catholic clergy, in unflattering contexts. It was especially popular in France during the second half of the 19th century, at a time that the anti-clerical message suited the prevailing political mood. Typical paintings show cardinals in their bright red robes engaging in unseemly activities within their lavish private quarters.

Nineteenth and early twentieth century artists known for their anti-clerical art include Francesco Brunery, Georges Croegaert, Charles Édouard Delort, Jehan Georges Vibert, Jules Benoit-Levy and Eduardo Zamacois y Zabala. Masami Teraoka is among the contemporary painters producing anti-clerical art.

See also

• Anti-Catholicism

References

• Hook, Philip and Mark Poltimore, Popular 19th century painting, a dictionary of European genre painters, Woodbridge, Suffolk, Antique Collectors’ Club Ltd, 1985.

Examples of anti-clerical art

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  The Church in Danger by Jehan Georges Vibert

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  The Preening Peacock by Jehan Georges Vibert

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  The Marvelous Sauce by Jehan Georges Vibert, ca. 1890, Albright-Knox Art Gallery

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  The Diet by Jehan Georges Vibert, private collection

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  The Fortune Teller by Jehan Georges Vibert, private collection

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  Non Abiate Paura by Francesco Brunery

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  Friday by Charles Édouard Delort, private collection

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  Game for the Cardinal by Charles Édouard Delort

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  The Amateur Artist by Georges Croegaert, private collection

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  The Winning Hand by Georges Croegaert

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  Returning to the Monastery by Eduardo Zamacois y Zabala, 1868, Carmen Thyssen Museum