Théophile-louis Deyrolle – Shepherd And Flock At Dusk – Oil On Canvas – Signed
Artist: Deyrolle Théophile-louis (1844 – 1923, France)
Théophile-Louis DEYROLLE (1844–1923, France)
The Shepherd and His Flock at Dusk
Oil on canvas
55 × 37 cm (panel) — 76 × 58 cm with frame
Signed “Th. Deyrolle” lower left
Rocaille-style frame, early 20th century
All in very good condition
The sky is tinged with pink and mauve, the light fades over the countryside: a shepherd, leaning on his staff, leads his flock home, accompanied by his dog. In the distance, a hamlet with round-tiled roofs nestles in the hollow of the hills—and it is precisely there that the scene unfolds.
Deyrolle, a painter from Concarneau and a true champion of Brittany, almost always set his subjects beneath slate roofs. Here, the orange-hued tiles point to an entirely different region of France—undoubtedly further south or inland, perhaps a memory of his formative years before he settled permanently in Brittany in 1871, or simply a commission that strays from his usual repertoire. The question remains open, and perhaps that is what makes this painting all the more endearing: an unusual departure for a painter we think we know so well.
The composition is carefully crafted: the flowering thornbush in the foreground, rendered with lively, impasto brushstrokes, echoes the hues of the evening sky and beautifully structures the space, while the herd winds its way toward the village in a soft, enveloping light.
Condition: very good overall condition. A small, old repair, visible on the back of the canvas, is completely invisible on the front.
Frame: a ceruse-finished wooden frame with carved rocaille decoration (fleurons, cartouches, foliage), in the style of the early 20th century.
The Artist
Théophile-Louis Deyrolle was born in Paris on December 16, 1844, into the Deyrolle family, Parisian naturalists and taxidermists. He first studied architecture, then enrolled at the École des Beaux-Arts in the studios of Cabanel and Bouguereau, where he became friends with Alfred Guillou, a painter from Concarneau. In 1869, he traveled to the Laz region and Armenia, from which he brought back drawings that were published in the press.
In 1871, the two friends left for Concarneau. Deyrolle settled there permanently, marrying Suzanne Guillou, his friend’s sister, in 1872. He divided his time between his in-laws’ oyster beds and painting. Along with Guillou, he is considered one of the founders of the Concarneau School.
He exhibited at the Salon beginning in 1876—scenes of fishing, markets, and Breton weddings: *Les Joueurs de boules* (1877, Quimper Museum), *Noce bretonne* (1892), *Alms in Brittany* (1902). He also created designs for the HB pottery in Quimper and produced decorative ensembles for the Kerazan estate in Loctudy. He died at his manor in Keriolet on December 14, 1923. His grandson, Jean Deyrolle (1911–1967), would also become a painter.
Work on view at the gallery (07240)
Shipping: Please contact us for shipping costs within France and internationally.
The Shepherd and His Flock at Dusk
Oil on canvas
55 × 37 cm (panel) — 76 × 58 cm with frame
Signed “Th. Deyrolle” lower left
Rocaille-style frame, early 20th century
All in very good condition
The sky is tinged with pink and mauve, the light fades over the countryside: a shepherd, leaning on his staff, leads his flock home, accompanied by his dog. In the distance, a hamlet with round-tiled roofs nestles in the hollow of the hills—and it is precisely there that the scene unfolds.
Deyrolle, a painter from Concarneau and a true champion of Brittany, almost always set his subjects beneath slate roofs. Here, the orange-hued tiles point to an entirely different region of France—undoubtedly further south or inland, perhaps a memory of his formative years before he settled permanently in Brittany in 1871, or simply a commission that strays from his usual repertoire. The question remains open, and perhaps that is what makes this painting all the more endearing: an unusual departure for a painter we think we know so well.
The composition is carefully crafted: the flowering thornbush in the foreground, rendered with lively, impasto brushstrokes, echoes the hues of the evening sky and beautifully structures the space, while the herd winds its way toward the village in a soft, enveloping light.
Condition: very good overall condition. A small, old repair, visible on the back of the canvas, is completely invisible on the front.
Frame: a ceruse-finished wooden frame with carved rocaille decoration (fleurons, cartouches, foliage), in the style of the early 20th century.
The Artist
Théophile-Louis Deyrolle was born in Paris on December 16, 1844, into the Deyrolle family, Parisian naturalists and taxidermists. He first studied architecture, then enrolled at the École des Beaux-Arts in the studios of Cabanel and Bouguereau, where he became friends with Alfred Guillou, a painter from Concarneau. In 1869, he traveled to the Laz region and Armenia, from which he brought back drawings that were published in the press.
In 1871, the two friends left for Concarneau. Deyrolle settled there permanently, marrying Suzanne Guillou, his friend’s sister, in 1872. He divided his time between his in-laws’ oyster beds and painting. Along with Guillou, he is considered one of the founders of the Concarneau School.
He exhibited at the Salon beginning in 1876—scenes of fishing, markets, and Breton weddings: *Les Joueurs de boules* (1877, Quimper Museum), *Noce bretonne* (1892), *Alms in Brittany* (1902). He also created designs for the HB pottery in Quimper and produced decorative ensembles for the Kerazan estate in Loctudy. He died at his manor in Keriolet on December 14, 1923. His grandson, Jean Deyrolle (1911–1967), would also become a painter.
Work on view at the gallery (07240)
Shipping: Please contact us for shipping costs within France and internationally.
900 €
Period: 19th century
Style: Napoleon 3rd
Condition: Excellent condition
Material: Oil painting
Width: 55 cm
Height: 37 cm
Reference (ID): 1798172
Availability: In stock
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