The Lamar University Department of Art will present “The Most Hated Painting in 1840” as part of the Art History Guest Lecture Series on Tuesday, April 16, at 6 p.m. in the Dishman Museum Lecture Hall. A reception will be held prior at 5:30 p.m. in the museum.

The lecture will focus on the artist Émile de Champmartin and his exhibited work in Paris in 1840 of a painting featuring 10 portraits of popular celebrities. This painting ignited a firestorm in the press, becoming the most hated work of art in 1840 and one of the most talked about portraits of the 19th century. Although it was the center of attention in 1840, this painting has not been considered by modern scholars. Sean DeLouche will discuss why this seemingly harmless painting earned the ridicule of Paris.

DeLouche currently teaches 18th and 19th century art history at Baylor University. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history and art history from the University of California, Davis and his Master of Arts and Ph.D. in 19th century art history from Ohio State University. He specializes in 19th century French art, especially Romanticism, portraiture, print culture and reception theory.

This lecture is free of charge and open to the public.