Jules Bastien-Lepage

Self-Portrait ; 19th Century

November 1, 1848 - December 10, 1884

Jules Bastien-Lepage was a French painter closely associated with the beginning of Naturalism, an artistic style emerging from the later phase of the Realist movement. Bastien-Lepage was born in the village of Damvillers, Meuse, and spent his childhood there; Bastien’s father grew grapes in a vineyard to support the family. His grandfather also lived in the village; his garden had apple, pear, and peach trees against the high walls. Bastien took an early liking to drawing, and his parents fostered his creativity by buying prints of paintings for him to copy.

Jules Bastien-Lepage’s first teacher was his father, himself an artist. His first formal training was at Verdun, and prompted by a love of art he went to Paris in 1867, where he was admitted to the École des Beaux-Arts, working under Alexandre Cabanel. He was awarded first place for drawing but spent most of his time working alone, only occasionally appearing in class. Nevertheless, he completed three years at the École. During the Franco-Prussian war in 1870, Bastien fought and was wounded. After the war, he returned home to paint the villagers and recover from his wound. In 1873 he painted his grandfather in the garden, a work fostering him his first success at the Paris Salon.

October ; 1878

All Souls' Day ; 1882

Girl in a Pink Veil ; Late-19th Century