Count Louis Clément de Ris (1820–1882), art critic and conservator museum of Versailles
1st image: Biard; 2nd: photo by Delessert (1859); 3rd: caricature by Eugène Giraud drawn Friday 7 June 1850 at Nieuwerkerke's soirée. (Alternative: de Rougé)
Count Athenase-Louis Clément de Ris-Torterat first attended de Nieuwerkerke's vendredi-soirées on June 7, 1850. On February 14, 1851, Viel-Castel notes that he joined his Louvre atelier for “tea and a smoke” at 11 p.m. In the presence of painter Müller18, they discussed the rising talent of Gustave Courbet.
Born from an extramarital affair between the Pair de France and 2nd Count Athenase-Louis Clément de Ris and Marguerite-Thérèse Torterat (who passed away in 1828), Clément de Ris and his siblings were adopted at birth and carried their father’s name. Their stepmother, Virginie LeJeans, died childless in 1827.
The inheritance from his father’s estate (upon his passing in 1837) enabled Louis to dedicate himself to art history and collection. His marriage to the sister of Joseph Napoléon’s wife likely facilitated his appointment at the Louvre, where he assisted in overseeing the royal and renaissance art departments. A gifted writer, he began publishing art critiques and Salon reports in Journal l’Artiste in 1841.
With his 1847 pamphlet Against the Oppression of the Arts, Clément de Ris played a decisive role in reforming the jury selection process for the annual Salons, advocating for fairer representation of emerging artists, including Courbet.
While additional exhibitions had existed since the Salon of 1827, his activism and extensive artistic network paved the way for the renowned Salon des Refusés in 1863.
His influential position as secretary allowed him to shape official reports in alignment with the perspectives of de Nieuwerkerke16 and Chennevières20.
Beyond his administrative contributions, Clément de Ris wrote poetry in the style of Lamartine and produced literary portraits (portraits de la plume) of writers and poets such as Alfred de Musset73.
Both Viel-Castel43 and de Nieuwerkerke attended his wedding in 1853 near Tours. Following Soulié's34 death in 1876, Clément de Ris was appointed conservator of the Musée de Versailles.
Admired by many as a kind, sensitive, and benevolent figure, Clément de Ris failed to impress Princess Mathilde. In 1859, she reportedly remarked: “This Clément is as dumb as a goose—foolish and boring as rain.” At the time, she may not have realized the pivotal role he played in reshaping the Salons and championing artistic reform.