| (....) At that time, the artists were divided into clans who had no semblance of indulgence for each other. The most ardent and the most daring also, from all points of view, were certainly the cubists grouped around Picasso, young and fiery headmaster. It was the band known as the "Bateau-Lavoir", assembly of plank workshops, located at 13 rue Ravignan.
Next to the cubists we counted the futurists, the fauvists, the pointillists, the impressionists etc .... All these rapins produced the paintings that we know and all exhibited at the Saln des Indépendants where the jury obstacle did not exist .
In each cenacle we talked, we talked endlessly about the new form of art adopted and we did not find epithets cruel enough, fierce enough, vengeful enough to criticize the theory of competitors that it was to demolish.
As for the classics, the firemen, the officials, there was nothing but hurtful mocking, insulting disdain, outrage.
All these painters, emancipated beyond all expression, sought to translate their aspirations in the most abstract and especially the most original way possible.
Among these art revolutionaries, nobody ever went far enough in the outrageous and outrageous. (....)
Until then, the very foundations of art rested on the sacred principles of the graphic representation - pictorial or sculptural - of Nature. (...)
Now this was it! For the painters, with whom we are particularly concerned here, the representation of a human face, for example, was no longer the result of logical studies which sought by form, the play of light and shadow, color, to get as close as possible to the model that the artist had before him: in a word to resemble him. Resembling! what an outrageous word, abominably fireman! (....) We will not stop talking about this subject (....)
There would be too much to say on the question, but as we are touching here on the art trade itself, on trade, we say, with adequate preparation of the brand or foal, psychological advertising, bluff sales, arrangements, mockery, speculation and crowning it all: snobbery (....)
All this was nevertheless necessary to make it clear, as we said above, that the mystification that we want to relate was more and better than an ordinary farce.
Roland Dorgeles also had an opinion on this subject. (....)
Tired of noticing that his reasons were not heeded, that his demonstrations in avant-garde salons remained short-lived, that his articles even proved to be ineffective, he resolved to attempt a major blow. Not only did he want the painting he wanted to show the crowds at the next Independents to scandalize by its design, its execution, but it was also necessary that the general laughter that greeted his appearance would ridicule those that he was going to tackle.
So he resolved to have an animal painted and after some hesitation he thought of a donkey. From there to set his sights on that of the Agile Rabbit there was only one step which was quickly taken. (....) All varieties of vegetables passed there (....)
Meanwhile the merry-go-round of the group gathered on the terrace had attracted the curious. First those who lived nearby: Girieud the painter, Charles Genty also neighbor of the Rabbit, a kind singer nicknamed Coccinelle. (....)
Finally, the canvas ended up being covered From dark chrome to oversea, passing by vermilion, the most screaming shades met there, meeting in the most extravagant way. (....)
By the care of friends and friends judiciously chaired, the name of Boronali began to spread and onlookers to stop in front of the painting. (....)
Then the criticism began to give voice; the appreciations were moreover rather encouraging than derogatory, the name of Boronali was in almost all the reports, "excessivism" started a good career. (....)
Day after day, the admirers became more numerous and the detractors - jealous - also.
The Boronali revelation fascinated the crowds.
When Dorgeles considered the favorable climate, he revealed the truth the truth by the powerful voice of the Morning which published with photo in support all the details of the farce, including the copy of the report of usher.
The impact was incredible; the crowd rushed to the Salon, it invaded the Agile Rabbit. Everyone wanted to see the suddenly famous painting; Lolo knew the honors and the benefits of triumph. (....)
- Reproduction of the photo of the team including Girieud with the donkey painting - |