This well-documented book now pays Breton the tribute that hc deserves. It traces the development of his career and the forces that influenced him from his childhood through his early training in Belgium and Paris to his years in Brittany. The book presents and discusses a number ot" important paintings by Breton, some of which have been almost unknown until now, and it shows how they reflect the artist's social andhumanitarian concerns as well as his paintcrly abilities.

Acknowledgements

Foreword

Preface

Jules Breton and rural painting in the nineteenth century

Chapter 1 The artist's childhood in Courrieres

Chapter 2 Training in Belgium and Paris

Chapter 5 The 1848 Revolution. First paintings

Chapter 4 Rustic painting. First official successes

Chapter 5 Doubts and discoveries. The Grape harvest at Chatteau-Lagrange

Chapter 6 The shock of Brittany

Chapter 7 Jules Breton, painter, writer and poet

Chapter 8 Fame

Conclusion

Catalogue

Exhibitions list

Chronology

Bibliography

Photo credits