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Jean Ferdinand Chaigneau
(1830-1906)
Jean Ferdinand
Chaigneau was one of the, ‘Little Masters,’ of the
Barbizon School. He certainly deserved this title, as he
lived, and died at Barbizon, and loved the surrounding
countryside. He was to depict it, time and time again,
in his paintings. He was born in Bordeaux, and was
brought up by his Grandfather, who was a collector, and
founder of the Museum of Public Instruction. He spent
two years studying drawing in Bordeaux, and then moved
to Paris in 1847.
In Paris, he lived with his uncle, the painter of
marine, and landscapes scenes, Raymond Eugene Goethals.
He became friends with, and studied under the painter
Jacques-Raymond Brascassat, who was well known for his
paintings of animals. Brascassat loved animals so much,
that he kept a wolf and two foxes in a stable near his
studio. He was also to study with the painters, Picot
and Coignet, but it was Brascassat who was to have a big
influence on the young Chaigneau. Chaigneau also began
to take classes at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris.
It was through his association with Brascassat, that he
developed the wish to paint both landscapes, and
animals. His debut at the Salon was in 1848, with a
painting entitled, ‘Memories of the surroundings of
Bordeaux.’ He was to go on to send landscapes of
Normandy, Auvergne, and Limousin to the Salon.
The year 1858, was to be an important one for him. He
took the decision to move to Barbizon to be close to the
nature that he loved, and the artists that he admired.
He became particularly good friends with Jean- Francois
Millet, and Charles Emile Jacque. It was however, Emile
Jacque that was to have the biggest influence on him,
and had a particular influence on his choice of subject
matter. Emile Jacque was of course well known, as a
great landscape, and animal painter of the time. He was
especially well known for his depiction of sheep.
Chaigneau was to follow in his footsteps, and began to
produce scenes of the Forest of Fontainebleau, as well
as scenes from the Forest of Chailly. He also, like
Emile Jacque produced an enormous number of paintings,
depicting flocks of sheep.
It was Emile Jacque who taught him to produce etchings,
and he produced his first published etchings in 1864. He
also produced watercolours. He was a very successful
artist of his time. The State bought a number of his
paintings, including in 1870, a painting, entitled,
‘Flock of Sheep in the Plains.’ He also, was well known
internationally, and between 1868, and 1881, he was to
exhibit in Paris and London. He also exhibited in Spain,
and in Chile. The American dealer, Samuel Putman Avery
purchased a number of his paintings for American
collectors.
The Edge of the Forest
Shepherdess at Twilight
Le Jardin de L'artiste Courtesy: Rehs Galleries, Inc., New York City
Throughout his time at
Barbizon his love of animal painting was at the
forefront, and he created the, ‘Society of Animal
Painters,’ with Charles Emile Jacque. Chaigneau also
began to teach art students in Barbizon, and his son who
was also a student of his, exhibited his first painting
at the age of seventeen, at the Salon of 1896.
Sadly, a creeping paralysis meant that he gradually had
trouble in painting. He died at Barbizon, surrounded by
the nature and animals that he loved so much.
