SALON D'AUTOMNE

(French: Autumn Salon), exhibition of the works of young artists held every fall in Paris since 1903. The Salon was established when modern artists who were not accepted by the conservative, official Socit Nationale des Beaux-Arts decided to form their own organization with the aims of welcoming any artist who wished to join, selecting a jury for exhibitions by drawing straws from the new group's membership, and giving the decorative arts the same respect accorded to the fine arts. The first Salon d'Automne was held on Oct. 31, 1903, at the Petit-Palais. During its early years, the Salon exhibited the works of Henri Matisse, Dunoyer de Segonzac, Georges Rouault, Jacques Villon, and several Impressionists. Exhibitions were still being held in the 1970s.