Charles Jacques (1813–1894) - The Two Pigs, 1850 - Master Of Barbizon -

Watercolor with gouache highlights on paper, signed lower left “Ch. Jacque.”
Measuring 29 cm x 19 cm (image size, unframed); 54 cm x 46 cm overall.
Depicting Two Pigs, painted around 1850.
Presumably a preparatory study for a series of engravings created by the artist on the theme of the Pig between 1846 and 1848.
Master Engraver and Pioneer of the Barbizon School.

Charles Émile Jacque, 1813–1894, French painter and engraver of the Barbizon School. He began his career as an apprentice engraver with a mapmaker. Enlisted in the French army in 1830, he took part in the siege of Antwerp during the Belgian Revolution. He completed his military service in 1835 with the rank of corporal. He resumed his artistic training as a self-taught artist. He moved to London from 1836 to 1838. There, he created woodcuts to illustrate a series of works published in partnership with a French publisher, Léon Curmer. He began visiting Barbizon in 1845 and settled there in August 1849 with Jean-François Millet and Théodore Rousseau. In the early 1850s, the group was joined by Jules Héreau and Eugène Boudin, among others. From his earliest works, his favorite subjects were inspired by rural or countryside scenes, featuring pastoral depictions of nature or farmyards, with poultry pecking at a manure pile; he was an objective and amused observer of all aspects of rural life. A renowned etcher, he contributed to the revival of this technique in the 19th century. Charles Baudelaire wrote in his 1845 Salon review, where Jacque exhibited for the first time: “Mr. Jacque is a rising star whose reputation will, we hope, continue to grow. “His etching is very bold, and his subject is very well conceived. Everything Mr. Jacque does on copper is full of a freedom and candor reminiscent of the old masters.” By 1866, he had already produced more than 460 engravings. He also produced numerous illustrations for books, as well as some drawings for the newspapers *L’Illustration* and *Le Magasin pittoresque*. He was also, from an early age, an excellent caricaturist and published numerous humorous lithographs for *Le Musée Philipon* and *Le Charivari*. Charles Jaque had his studio at 11 Boulevard de Clichy in Paris and a studio-home at 24 Grande Rue in Barbizon. He died in Paris on May 7, 1894, and was buried at the Père-Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. Artist listed in Bénézit. Priced on Artprice, Artnet, Akoun, etc...

This paper is in very good condition.
The watercolor, which has never been cleaned and is not soiled, is in very good original condition. No stains.
In its original glass-fronted frame in good condition; the original mat is stained (see photo), but a sheet of paper could simply be glued over it while preserving the gilded border.
Authentic attic find in good original condition.

Shipping costs via Colissimo Registered and Insured:
France: 28€
Belgium: 13€
EEC: 38€
USA: Upon request.