The Salon des Refusés of 1863

In 1863 the Salon des Refusés was organised with Emperor Napoleon III’s approval. It provided the opportunity of an exhibition for many of those works which were rejected by the Salon jury.

Staged alongside the official Salon, this event occurred only once, but its effects were long-lasting. How did visitors react to this notorious exhibition? Why was this a landmark in the development of modern art?

Lunchtime talks

On Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, focus in on one painting with our talks in the Gallery, or explore wider themes in the collection at our in-depth theatre talks.

Image above: Detail from Edouard Manet, Music in the Tuileries Gardens, 1862