A Blois Earthenware Plaque "the King's Guards" Signed Ulysse Besnard 1886

an enamelled earthenware plaque, a production of the Ulysse Besnard earthenware factory in Blois. It represents a subject in the spirit of the French Renaissance "moon poses royal guards". in good condition, two chips on the back of the plate. Dimensions 36.5cmX 28.5cm Born in Blois on August 24, 1826, Ulysse Besnard left his mark as a painter, ceramist, museum curator and entrepreneur. His life and work are closely linked to the city where he grew up. After completing his classical studies at the minor seminary, Ulysse Besnard decided to devote his life to art. He trained in drawing and painting in the studio of the famous painter Victor Chavet in Paris, an experience that laid the foundation for his promising artistic career. In 1857, he created one of his first major works, "Henry III and His Mignons", a state commission for the Blois Museum, where the painting is still on display today. In 1858, Besnard made the choice to return to Blois, while continuing to participate in Parisian artistic events. Upon his return, he took over the management of the city's museum, becoming its first curator. At the same time, he offered free drawing lessons three times a week at the town hall, thanks to the support of the municipality of Eugène Riffault. Besnard's workshop in Blois quickly became a meeting place for many artists and intellectuals, including Arthur Trouëssart and Raoul de Saint Vincent, explains Pascal Nourrisson in his work “Blois, the dictionary of street names” (CLD éditions) . They gathered regularly to paint and benefit from the advice of Master Besnard. The workshop, which had become too cramped, was then moved to an attic on rue du Commerce, above the Benoist-Javary bookstore, giving birth in 1886 to the Society of Friends of the Arts. In 1861, Ulysse Besnard decided to explore another aspect of his artistic expression by embarking on decoration on earthenware. The following year he founded his own earthenware factory on Quai des Imberts (currently Quai Ulysse Besnard). Success came quickly, and by the end of 1863, he was overwhelmed with orders. In 1865, he already employed four decorators. In the space of six years, from 1862 to 1867, the factory produced nearly 5,000 pieces. It will reach eleven thousand pieces in 1876.