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Eugène Isabey | |
|---|---|
 Eugène Isabey (c.1860); photograph byNadar. | |
| Born | (1803-07-22)22 July 1803 |
| Died | 25 April 1886(1886-04-25) (aged 82) |
| Known for | Painting |
| Movement | Romanticism |
Eugène Louis Gabriel Isabey (French pronunciation:[øʒɛnlwiɡabʁijɛlizabɛ]; 22 July 1803 – 25 April 1886) was a French painter,lithographer andwatercolorist in theRomantic style.
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Eugène Isabey was born toJean-Baptiste Isabey, a well known painter who enjoyed the patronage of theHouse of Bonaparte. Originally, he wanted to be a sailor, but his father insisted that he study painting; a turnabout from the usual situation where the family opposes an artistic career in favor of something more practical.
After studying with his father and copying theOld Masters at theLouvre, he began sharing a studio with the landscape painterXavier Leprince atHonfleur in 1824, then moved toSaint-Siméon after Leprince's untimely death. The following year, he sent some landscapes to theSalon for his first formal exhibition.
In 1831, he was chosen to accompany a diplomatic mission to Morocco, led by theComte de Mornay, but he politely refused. He had just returned from a short trip toAlgiers, where he had painted scenes of theRoyal Navy's campaign, and was concerned that the situation there was still too unsettled to make a lengthy stay. He was replaced by his friend,Eugène Delacroix, who created over 100 works that are now considered classics ofOrientalism.
Shortly after, Isabey became acourt painter for KingLouis-Philippe and was named a Knight in theLégion d'Honneur in 1832.[1] One of his best known paintings was done during this period, in 1840, depicting thereturn of Napoleon's remains fromSaint Helena aboard theBelle Poule.
He favored historical paintings,genre scenes and landscapes, but also executed numerous canvases depicting storms and shipwrecks, possibly reflecting his own thwarted career plans. During a trip to England, he was known to have studied the works ofJ. M. W. Turner. He was especially skillful at rendering subtleties in darker colors; which might be called a form ofgrisaille. He took in students on a regular basis; includingEugène Boudin,Johan Barthold Jongkind andDurand-Brager. In his later years, he turned from marine painting to historical scenes, usually of a violent nature, such as massacres, duels and robberies.
A primary school in Montévrain has been named in his honor.[2]
