 | This article includes alist of references,related reading, orexternal links,but its sources remain unclear because it lacksinline citations. Please helpimprove this article byintroducing more precise citations.(January 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
François-Louis David Bocion (French pronunciation:[fʁɑ̃swalwidavidbɔsjɔ̃]; 30 March 1828 inLausanne – 12 December 1890 in Lausanne) was a Swiss painter, designer and art professor, known primarily for his landscapes of the area aroundLake Geneva.
He was the youngest of five children born to the carpenter, Henri-Louis Bocion (1792-1835), who was originally fromBournens, and his wife Suzanne-Catherine. After his father's death, the family's financial situation became untenable and he was placed with his paternal grandfather, a marble sculptor, inMontreux. His grandfather, in turn, died in 1840 and François went to live with his mother's family inVevey, where he completed his primary education.
During those years, he was introduced to drawing by Christian-Gottlieb Steinlen (1779-1847) and François Bonnet (1811-1894). This inspired him to visit Paris in 1846, where he frequented the studios ofLouis-Aimé Grosclaude andCharles Gleyre at theÉcole des Beaux-arts. He also made friends withGustave Courbet. After a bout withtyphoid fever, he returned to Lausanne.
He held his first showing with the "Société des beaux-arts" (Turnus), shortly thereafter. From 1849 until his death, he was a Professor of Drawing at the École industrielle de Lausanne and designed the school's student uniform. He was a regular contributor of cartoons to the satirical journal,La Guêpe (The Wasp) from 1851 to 1854. Until 1858, he made numerous trips to Italy. His painting of Venice was purchased by theCanton of Vaud and hangs in the meeting room of the Council of State. He also took private students, notablyThéophile Steinlen andEugène Grasset.
In 1859, he married Anna-Barbara Furrer. They had nine children, five of whom died in infancy.
After 1888, he was a member of theCommission fédérale des beaux-arts [de]. His works may be seen at theMusée historique Lausanne [fr], theCantonal Museum of Fine Arts and theMusée des Beaux-Arts de Strasbourg. A pedestrian passage in Lausanne was named after him in 1924.
