Henry Coëylas (1844–1923) – Rural Gallantry, Oil On Canvas, C. 1880–1890

Henry Coëylas (1844–1923) – Rural Gallantry, Oil on Canvas, c. 1880–1890

This delicate canvas embodies the tradition of gallant scenes, drawing inspiration from 17th- and 18th-century masters such as Fragonard and Watteau. The composition, both harmonious and lively, depicts elegant figures on a château balcony overlooking a tranquil river. They acknowledge the greeting of a boater below, set within a pastoral landscape graced by the presence of swans.

The oil on canvas, signed lower right and integrated into the scene, is presented in a finely molded and gilded wood frame, chosen to enhance the painting without overshadowing it.

Dimensions:

Without frame: Height 18 1/8 in - Width 24 in

With frame: Height 24 3/8 in - Width 29 1/2 in

Condition:

In good overall condition, with a few minor old restorations noted, which in no way detract from the quality or charm of the work.

Biography:

Henry Coëylas (1844–1923) – A Painter Between Tradition and Elegance.

Henry Coëylas, sometimes spelled Henri Coeylas, was a 19th-century French artist born on June 7, 1844, in Joinville-le-Pont, into a bourgeois family. His father, Pierre Auguste Maximilien Coëylas, worked as a tobacco tax collector, while his mother, Louise Pauline Aubusson de Carvalay, hailed from a line with aristocratic roots. This blend of administrative rigor and cultural heritage may have shaped his precise yet poetic view of the society of his time.

Trained during a period of artistic ferment, Coëylas followed in the footsteps of the gallant painters of the previous century, while adding his own personal touch. His work, often characterized by pastoral scenes and refined compositions, reflects a deep connection to the themes cherished by 18th-century masters like Watteau and Fragonard. He excelled in capturing the subtleties of social interactions, blending grace and naturalness in idyllic settings.

In 1875, he married Hélène Jeanne Jolly in Paris. Their children included René Jean Paul Coëylas (1879–1961), who made a name for himself as a designer in goldsmithing, sculptor, and journalist, and André Célestin (1875–1914), who pursued a medical career. These diverse paths reflect a family where art and science coexisted, embodying the varied aspirations of the era.

Though less renowned than some of his contemporaries, Henry Coëylas left behind a body of work that charms with its understated elegance and attention to detail. His canvases, often discreetly signed, are distinguished by a luminous palette and balanced composition. Today, some of his works are preserved in the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle in Paris, where they evoke the elegance of a world in transition.

He passed away on April 12, 1923, in Draveil, leaving an artistic legacy worthy of rediscovery.

Museum:

Paris, Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle.