1894 in art

In 1894, the art world witnessed several significant events and developments. Notably, Oscar Wilde's play *Salome* was published with illustrations by Aubrey Beardsley, while The Yellow Book, edited by Henry Harland and featuring contributions from Beardsley, gained attention for its avant-garde content. In June, the Racławice Panorama, a large historical painting depicting the Battle of Racławice in 1794, was officially opened in Wrocław, Poland. Additionally, painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir joined forces with the dealer Ambroise Vollard to establish Les Peintres Modernes, an artists' collective.

In the realm of personal milestones, French Impressionist Gustave Caillebotte passed away on February 21 after a long illness. His death marked the end of a significant era in Impressionism, as he was both a painter and a key supporter of the movement. Meanwhile, the deaths of other prominent figures such as Carl Werner, Charles Laval, William Hart, and Jean-Joseph Carriès underscored the shifting tides of the art world.

The year also saw the births of several future influential artists and writers, including Norman Rockwell, E.E. Cummings, James Thurber, and others. Their arrival on the scene would later contribute to the evolution of 20th-century art and literature.

Overall, 1894 was a transitional year in the art world, marked by both celebrated achievements and significant losses, as well as the emergence of new talent that would shape the future of artistic expression.