Anti-clerical art

Anti-clerical art is an art movement portraying clergy (especially Roman Catholic clergy) in unflattering contexts. It was especially popular in France during the second half of the 19th century, at a time that the anti-clerical message suited the prevailing political mood. Typical paintings show cardinals in their bright red robes engaging in unseemly activities within their lavish private quarters.

Nineteenth and early twentieth century artists known for their anti-clerical art include Francesco Brunery, Georges Croegaert, Charles Édouard Delort, Jehan Georges Vibert, and Eduardo Zamacois y Zabala. Masami Teraoka is among the contemporary painters producing anti-clerical art.

References

* Hook, Philip and Mark Poltimore, " Popular 19th century painting, a dictionary of European genre painters", Woodbridge, Suffolk, Antique Collectors’ Club Ltd, 1985.

Examples of anti-clerical art