The 'Artealisation' of the Forest of Fontainebleau and the Obstacles to Cultural Consummation

Abstract

The forest of Fontainebleau is not just a green space; it is a cultural meeting place rooted in tradition. The idea that exists in the collective imagination comes largely from the work of the artists who settled there in the 19th century. A couple of questions are posed here through a critical review of the most relevant works of recent decades — among others, those of the art historian V., the historian Ch. Georgel and the sociologist B. Kalaora — dedicated to this environment from an artistic perspective. The first one covers the main milestones of its artealisation and shows how the artists’ gaze has determined the perception of this space as a green museum, which has led to the adoption of protective measures. The second is a final reflection on whether the excessive codification of a landscape leads to the devaluation of the aesthetic experience in favour of mere cultural consummation.