Constant Troyon Facts for Kids

Constant Troyon

Constant Troyon (born August 28, 1810 – died February 21, 1865) was a famous French painter. He was part of a group of artists known as the Barbizon school. At first, he mostly painted landscapes. But later in his life, Troyon became very well known for his amazing paintings of animals.

Early Life of Constant Troyon
How Troyon Became Famous
- A Trip to the Netherlands
- Recognition and Later Life
Troyon's Famous Artworks
Gallery
See also

Early Life of Constant Troyon

Constant Troyon was born in Sèvres, a town near Paris. His father worked at the famous Sèvres porcelain factory. Young Troyon started working there very early as a decorator. For many years, he carefully painted tiny details on porcelain. This work taught him a lot about art, but it also took him a while to paint in a bigger, freer style.

When he was about 21, Troyon began traveling around the country as an artist. He painted landscapes for as long as his money lasted. When he ran out of funds, he would find a china factory and work as a decorator again. This helped him save enough money to continue his travels and painting.

How Troyon Became Famous

Road in the Woods, around 1840s, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Constant Troyon became friends with Camille Roqueplan, another talented artist. Roqueplan taught Troyon and introduced him to other Barbizon painters like Rousseau and Jules Dupré. Between 1840 and 1847, Troyon tried to paint landscapes like them.

While his early landscapes were sincere, they weren't his best work. He became a true master later, especially after he started painting animals.

A Trip to the Netherlands

In 1846, Troyon visited the Netherlands. There, he saw famous paintings by Dutch masters like Paulus Potter's "Young Bull" and Cuyp's sunny landscapes. These artworks inspired him greatly. After this trip, Troyon developed a new way of painting. His true artistic style really shone through in the works he created after this time.

Once he realized how good he was at painting animals, his career took off quickly. His paintings became famous in Britain, America, and across Europe.

This 1850 painting shows 'Cattle drinking' by the Touques River in Normandy. The Walters Art Museum.

The art critic Albert Wolff wrote about Troyon's animal paintings. He said that Troyon continued the tradition of great Dutch animal painters without copying them. Wolff described Troyon's animals as "living, moving herds" that looked natural in their landscapes. They weren't just stiff, posed animals, but lively creatures enjoying the sun or gathering before a storm.

Recognition and Later Life

Even with all his success, Troyon sometimes doubted himself. But he received many honors. He was given the Legion of Honour, a high award in France. He also won five medals at the Paris Salon, a famous art exhibition. Even Napoleon III, the French Emperor, bought his paintings. He was financially successful, just like his fellow Barbizon artists.

Constant Troyon passed away in Paris on February 21, 1865. He was buried in the Cimetière de Montmartre.

Troyon's Famous Artworks

All of Troyon's most famous paintings were created between 1850 and 1864. His earlier works are not as well known. After he died, his mother created the Troyon prize for animal paintings at the École des Beaux Arts, a famous art school.

Many people know Troyon's art from large prints made of his pictures. You can see his paintings in many important museums around the world. For example:

The Wallace Gallery in London has "Watering Cattle" and "Cattle in Stormy Weather."
The Glasgow Corporation Gallery has a "Landscape with Cattle."
The Louvre in Paris displays his famous "Oxen at Work" and "Returning to the Farm."
The Metropolitan Museum of Art and other galleries in America also have great examples of his art.

One of his most important paintings is "Vallée de la Toucque, Normandy."