Eugene Carriere
(1849-1906)

Symbolist painter Eugene Carriere grew up in Strasbourg, Austria. Here he received his first training at the Ecole Municipale de Dessin to learn commercial lithography. However, after one visit to Paris he truly discovered art and made the city his home. Carriere studied the masterworks at the Louvre and eventually enrolled in the Ecole des Beaux-Arts.

Self-Portrait, 1893
 

In his early works, Carriere adopted the dark color palate of the old masters like Velazquez and Rubens, but as he developed as a painter, he would create his own style and incorporated misty vapors around some of his subjects.

Lady Leaning on her Elbows on a Table


The First Communion
 

Carriere was briefly imprisoned during the war in 1870 and after he was released, studied under Alexandre Cabanel. Carriere was also a lithographer and sculptor, but was best known for his portraits and scenes of domestic life. From 1877 on, he often used his wife to portray maternity and would include her in many of his compositions.

Shepherd and Flock


In Mother's Arms


Woman and Child, 1900


Sculpture
 

Throughout the 1880s, Carriere maintained a friendship with the sculptor Rodin, who admired his work. During this time, the artists were both working in the Sevre’s factory. He was friendly with other artists as well and painted portraits of Rodin and others.

Rodin, 1897 Lithograph
 

Although Carriere exhibited his works at the salons, he didn’t receive much attention from the art world…or from buyers. He would have to take jobs working for printing companies in order to care for his family until 1889. It wasn’t until the turn of the century that Carriere really came into the public eye. Towards the end of his life he also became an art instructor, teaching future greats like Matisse and Derain.

Woman in Profile, 1895


Magny aux Les Hameaux


Infant


La Fileuse
 

Today, Carriere’s work still remains little known, but portraits of his such as the one of Paul Verlaine now hang in his beloved Louvre.

Paul Verlaine, 1891
 

However, during his lifetime, and especially towards the end of his career, Carrier found much success and acclaim as an artist. Carriere painted right up until his death in 1906 and left an extensive oeuvre behind of beautiful, original paintings and lithographs.

The Young Mothers, 1906

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