Henri Regnault facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henri Regnault
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| Born |
Alexandre Georges Henri Regnault
31 October 1843 Paris, France
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| Died | 19 January 1871 (aged 27) Rueil-Malmaison, France
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| Education |
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Notable work
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Salomé (1870) |
| Style | French Orientalism |
| Awards | Prix de Rome (1866) |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  France |
| Branch | French Army |
| Service years | 1870–1871 |
| Battles/wars |
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Alexandre Georges Henri Regnault (born October 31, 1843 – died January 19, 1871) was a talented French painter. He is known for his vibrant and dramatic artworks.
Contents
Henri Regnault's Life
Henri Regnault was born in Paris, France. His father was Henri Victor Regnault, a well-known chemist and physicist. Henri studied art with several famous teachers, including Alexandre Cabanel.
Early Art Studies
In 1863, Henri tried to win the important Prix de Rome art prize but did not succeed. He showed two portraits at the Paris Salon in 1864, but they were not very famous. However, in 1866, he won the Prix de Rome with his painting Thetis bringing the Arms forged by Vulcan to Achilles. This painting was very strong and unique. Winning the Prix de Rome meant he could study art in Rome, Italy.
Time in Italy and Spain
While in Rome, Henri was not very interested in ancient art. Instead, he focused on everyday life and people. His painting Automedon (now at the School of Fine Arts) shows a lively horse race he saw during a carnival. In Rome, he also discovered a new style of art from Spain and Italy. This style focused a lot on what things looked like, even people. This new way of painting greatly influenced Henri's work.
In 1868, he sent a large portrait of a lady to the Salon. This painting was one of the first to show modern, fashionable life in a realistic way. Later, during a trip to Spain, he saw General Juan Prim leading his soldiers. This inspired him to paint a powerful picture of the general. This painting became very popular with the public.
Travels and Final Works
After Spain, Henri traveled to North Africa. He had to cut his trip short because he was a student supported by the Roman art school. There, he painted Judith. In 1870, he created his famous painting Salomé. From Tangier, he sent a large painting called Execution Without Hearing Under the Moorish Kings back to the Roman school. In this artwork, he used bright red paint to show blood, making it look like precious jewels.
War and Legacy
The Franco-Prussian War began in 1870. Henri Regnault joined the French Army. He fought in the Battle of Buzenval and sadly died on January 19, 1871.
His friend, the composer Camille Saint-Saëns, wrote a piece of music called Marche héroïque in 1871 to honor Henri's memory. A sculptor named Henri Chapu also created a monument for him in 1872 at the École des Beaux-Arts. Another artist, Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier, even painted Henri in his famous work Le siège de Paris, showing him as a soldier falling against the figure of Paris.
Gallery
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Automedon with the Horses of Achilles (1868), Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
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Salomé (1870), Metropolitan Museum of Art
See also
In Spanish: Henri Regnault para niños
- List of Orientalist artists
