Farm to Table: Art, Food, and Identity in the Age of Impressionism

A wide-ranging exploration of art, gastronomy, and national identity in fin-de-siècle France

During the late 19th century, renowned artists including Claude Monet, Eva Gonzalès, and Paul Gauguin focused on depicting France's relationship with food. The country's abundant agriculture and skilled chefs were pivotal in shaping its strength and international standing. This self-perception as a leading culinary capital only strengthened during times of war, political turmoil, imperialism, and industrialization. While France's culinary customs represented sophistication, resilience, and resourcefulness, they also revealed underlying societal divides. From production to consumption, food played a central role in both ideas of glory and collective hardship. For artists dedicated to capturing everyday realities, food was a natural and telling subject.
 
Featuring a wealth of illustrations, Farm to Table captures the diversity of ingredients, meals, and crises portrayed in the artwork. These pieces shed light on France's colonial and industrial pursuits, shifting gender and class norms, the complex Paris-province dynamic, and changing perspectives on science and the environment. Cultural concerns and ambitions are also evident in depictions of markets, gardens, farmers, chefs, and restaurants. The accompanying essays delve into topics such as the economics of wheat farming, the relationship between food and gender, and the impact of colonialism, providing a unique perspective on the art, food, and social issues of the Impressionist era.