Timoléon Marie Lobrichon (1831-1914) Gaze In The Mirror 1868

Timoléon Marie Lobrichon (1831 - 1914) - French

Painting depicting a young girl looking at her reflection in a mirror.
Timoléon Lobrichon was born in Cornod on April 26, 1831. A genre and portrait painter of the 19th-century French School, he studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Paris under the direction of the artist François Edouard Picot (1796-1868). He made his debut at the Salon des Artistes Français in 1859 and received a First Class Medal in 1868. Until 1914, the year of his death, he regularly exhibited works there, most of which depicted very young children in situations of play, walking, or studying, in compositions of great finesse: "The Reading Lesson," purchased by the State at the Salon of 1864, "In Penance," purchased by the State at the Salon of 1865; "The Bogeyman's Luggage, The Red Spectre" 1876; "The Mailbox" 1887; "Last Rehearsal," exhibited at the Salon of 1906; "The Scoundrels," Salon of 1910. In 1884, he illustrated Jean Aicard's famous book "The Song of the Child" with 128 compositions in which he evokes childhood with the utmost tenderness. This work was awarded a prize by the French Academy. His scenes of children, with their slightly humorous character, made him a famous and highly sought-after painter during his lifetime. He succeeded in capturing the character and personality of each child, and, through his paintings, Lobrichon offers us more than a simple portrait; he tells a true story. In October 1873, a photogravure by Goupil of "Compulsory Education," exhibited at the Knoedler Gallery on Fifth Avenue in New York, received a very warm reception from the public, contributing to his increased popularity in the United States. He also exhibited regularly in Germany and Melbourne. He received the Legion of Honour in 1882. Timoléon Marie Lobrichon, a celebrated son of the French countryside, was born on April 26, 1831, in Cornod and passed away in 1914. Lobrichon distinguished himself in his career as a painter and illustrator, leaving a lasting impression particularly through his depictions of childhood. Throughout his life, Lobrichon revealed a multitude of artistic skills and visionary creativity. He learned the subtle techniques of painting under the expert guidance of François Edouard Picot, a master of his time. In 1856, Lobrichon surprised everyone with a humorous Italian-style drawing entitled "Histoire de Mr Tuberculus" (The Story of Mr. Tuberculus), an illustrated tale of the adventures of a dreamy boy with a remarkably large nose. It was around this time that he produced a large number of portraits for the renowned L'Album du Gaulois. A skilled painter of history, portraits, and genre scenes, Lobrichon was best known for his compositions featuring children. These were widely reproduced as engravings by the international firm Goupil & Cie, achieving worldwide success. Among his notable works are "A Corner of the Luxembourg Garden," "Thumbelina and Maddy," and "The Toy Shop Window," which was reproduced numerous times. However, Lobrichon was not only known for his childhood portraits, but also for his depictions of landscapes in the Jura and Normandy regions, as well as for his portrait of Michelet. In 1883, he received a significant honor: Lobrichon was made a Knight of the Legion of Honor, further underscoring his prominent position in the French art world. In his private life, Lobrichon settled in Elbeuf and maintained a close friendship with the painter Edmond Adolphe Rudaux. The works of Timoléon Marie Lobrichon still constitute an important contribution to the cultural heritage of France and the world.